Foot controls for a bed

ABSTRACT

A bed for a person is provided. The bed includes a frame, a deck, a mattress, a pair of head end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails. The bed further includes a plurality of foot-operated controls configured to control features of the bed.

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/173,428, filed Dec. 29, 1999, titled Hospital Bed, thedisclosures of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. Thedisclosures of PCT Application PCT/US98/20002, titled Hospital BedHaving a Retracting Foot Section, filed Sep. 23, 1998, to Allen et al.;U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. unknown, titled Hospital Bed,filed herewith, to Osborne et al.; U.S. Utility patent application Ser.No. unknown, titled Mattress Having a Retractable Foot Section, filedherewith, to Welling et al.; and PCT Application Ser. No. unknown,titled Hospital Bed, filed herewith, to Hill-Rom Services, Inc. andnaming inventors Osborne et al. are expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a hospital bed. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a hospital bedfoot-operated controls for controlling a function of the bed.

[0003] Hospital bed and other patient supports are known. Typically,such patient supports are used to provide a support surface for patientsor other individuals for treatment, recuperation, or rest. Many suchpatient supports include a frame, a deck supported by the frame, and amattress. Some beds include foot-pedals that are used to raise or lowerportions of the frame.

[0004] According to the present invention, a patient support is providedthat includes a frame having a base frame and an intermediate frameconfigured to move relative to the base frame between first and secondpositions, a deck coupled to the intermediate frame, and a mattresssupported by the deck. The deck includes at least one deck sectionconfigured to move relative to the intermediate frame between first andsecond positions. The patient support further includes a plurality ofactuators configured to move between first and second positions to movethe intermediate frame relative to the base frame and deck sectionrelative to the intermediate frame and a plurality of electricalfoot-operated controls supported by the frame. Each of the plurality offoot-operated controls is movable to a first position to controlmovement of at least one of the plurality of actuators to the firstposition and a second position to control movement of at least one ofthe plurality of actuators to the second position.

[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, and an actuator configuredto move between first and second positions to move at least one of aportion of the frame and a portion of the deck. The patient supportfurther includes an electrical foot-operated control movable to a firstposition activating movement of the actuator to the first position and asecond position activating movement of the actuator to the secondposition.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, and an actuator configuredto move at least one of a portion of the frame and a portion of thedeck. The patient support further includes a control configured tocontrol movement of the actuator. The control including a control memberand a field sensor configured to detect a change in a field caused by achange in position of the control member to control operation of theactuator based upon the change in position of the control member.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the present invention, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, a first actuator configuredto move between first and second positions to move at least one of aportion of the frame and a portion of the deck, and a second actuatorconfigured to move between first and second positions to move at leastone of a portion of the frame and a portion of the deck. The patientsupport further includes a foot-operated control movable to a firstposition to control movement of the first and second actuators to thefirst positions and a second position to control movement of the firstand second actuators to the second positions.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a plurality of wheelsconfigured to support the frame and facilitate movement of the frame onthe floor, a deck supported by the frame, a mattress supported by thedeck, and an actuator configured to move at least one of a portion ofthe frame and a portion of the deck. The patient support furtherincludes an electrical foot-operated control configured to controlmovement of the actuator.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, and an actuator configuredto move at least one of a portion of the frame and a portion of thedeck. The patient support further includes an electrical foot-operatedcontrol supported by the frame and configured to control movement of theactuator.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, an actuator configured tomove between first and second positions to move at least one of aportion of the frame and a portion of the deck, and a power sourceconfigured to apply power to the actuator to move between the first andsecond positions. The patient support further includes a foot-operatedcontrol movable to a first position initiating application of power fromthe power source to the actuator to move the actuator to the firstposition and a second position initiating application of power from thepower source to the actuator to move the actuator to the secondposition.

[0011] Additional features of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode ofcarrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanyingfigures in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hospital bed showing thehospital bed including a frame, a deck coupled to and positioned abovethe frame, a headboard coupled to the frame, a footboard coupled to thedeck, and two pair of split siderails coupled to the frame;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1showing the headboard including a base and a removable center panelslidably coupled to the base;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the hospital bed showing theframe in an upper position supporting the deck in an upper position;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3showing a roller and caster-brake linkage positioned in a hollow baseframe;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the hospital bed similar toFIG. 3 showing the frame in an intermediate position supporting the deckin an intermediate position and showing the frame (in phantom) in alower position supporting the deck in a lower position;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the hospital bed similar toFIG. 3 showing the frame in the Trendelenburg position supporting thedeck with a head section of the deck positioned lower than a footsection of the deck;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the hospital bed similar toFIG. 3 showing the frame in the Reverse Trendelenburg positionsupporting the deck with the head section of the deck positioned higherthan the foot section of the deck;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment hospitalbed frame having four linkage assemblies supporting an intermediateframe and a deck (in phantom);

[0021]FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the hospital bed of FIG. 8showing the frame in an upper position supporting the intermediate frameand the deck in an upper position;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9showing one of the linkage assemblies including a C-shaped link and arectangle-shaped link partially positioned in the C-shaped link;

[0023]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the hospital bed similar toFIG. 9 showing the frame in a lower position supporting the deck in alower position;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the hospital bed similar toFIG. 9 showing the frame in the Trendelenburg position supporting thedeck with a head section of the deck positioned lower than a footsection of the deck;

[0025]FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the hospital bed similar toFIG. 9 showing the frame in the Reverse Trendelenburg positionsupporting the deck with the head section of the deck positioned higherthan the foot section of the deck;

[0026]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a control panel pivotably coupledto the footboard and including a plurality of control buttons foroperating various functions of the hospital bed;

[0027]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment controlsystem including four foot pedals configured to control the variousfunctions of the hospital bed;

[0028]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the control system of FIG. 15showing a caregiver depressing one of the foot pedals to lower a backsection of the hospital bed;

[0029]FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of a head end of the hospital bedof FIG. 1 with portions cut away (in partial phantom) showing the deckincluding the head section (in partial phantom), the back section (inpartial phantom) pivotably coupled to the head section, and a tiltmechanism coupled to an intermediate frame of the frame, the backsection of the deck, and to the head section of the deck;

[0030]FIG. 18 is a top view of the tilt mechanism taking along lines18-18 of FIG. 17;

[0031]FIG. 19 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 17 showing thetilt mechanism tilting the head section of the deck relative to the backsection of the deck;

[0032]FIG. 20 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 17 showing thetilt mechanism tilting the head section relative to the back section andtilting the back section relative to the intermediate frame;

[0033]FIG. 21 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 17 showing thetilt mechanism tilting the head and back sections of the deck relativeto the intermediate frame while maintaining a coplanar relationshipbetween the head and back sections;

[0034]FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of a foot end of the hospital bedshowing the deck including a foot section with the footboard coupledthereto and a seat section pivotably coupled to the foot section and theintermediate frame, and a tilt mechanism positioned between the foot andseat sections of the deck and the intermediate frame;

[0035]FIG. 23 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 22 showing thetilt mechanism including an actuator lifting the seat section of thedeck to an upper position and a pair of links in a locked positionelevating the foot section of the deck in response to the movement ofthe seat section;

[0036]FIG. 24 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 22 showing theactuator in a retracted position and the links of the tilt mechanism inan unlocked position;

[0037]FIG. 25 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 22 showing theactuator lifting the seat section of the deck, the links in the unlockedposition, and the foot section of the deck tilting relative to the seatsection as the actuator lifts the seat section;

[0038]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the underside of the foot andseat sections of the deck showing the links in the locked position andthe tilt mechanism further including a connector link interconnectingthe right and left links for simultaneous movement therebetween;

[0039]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of one of the siderails including alinkage assembly coupled to the intermediate frame and a clear railmember, with portions broken away, coupled to the linkage assembly;

[0040]FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28-28 of FIG.27 showing the linkage assembly including a retainer including aZ-shaped latch coupled to a catch rod, a lower release handle coupled tothe Z-shaped latch, and a patient-accessible upper release handleinteracting with the Z-shaped latch through a pair of vertical transferrods;

[0041]FIG. 29 is a side view of a lockout mechanism configured to blockmovement of the patient-accessible upper release handle;

[0042]FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 28 showing thepatient-accessible upper release handle pivoted inwardly to push thevertical transfer rods downwardly so that the Z-shaped latch is rotatedaway from the catch rod to permit the siderail to be lowered;

[0043]FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 28 showing thesiderail in an intermediate lower position;

[0044]FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the siderail showing the clearrail member coupled to the linkage assembly and a clear armrestpivotably coupled to the clear rail member in a storage position;

[0045]FIG. 33 is a view similar to FIG. 32 showing the armrest in a useposition and having a cup or container holder supporting a cup therein;

[0046]FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 34-34 of FIG.32 showing the armrest in the storage position, the siderail furtherincluding a stop plate coupled to the armrest, a top rail portion of therail member having a substantially circular lobe and a downwardlyextending lobe coupled to the substantially circular lobe;

[0047]FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 34 showing thearmrest in the use position and the stop plate engaging the downwardlyextending lobe so that further clockwise rotation of the armrest isprevented;

[0048]FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an alternative embodimentsiderail showing the siderail in an upper position;

[0049]FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 37-37 of FIG.36 showing the siderail of FIG. 36 including a vertical rail memberpivotably coupled about a tubular support member, a pair of handlespivotably coupled to the vertical rail member, a retainer including avertical pin engaging an aperture formed in the tubular support member,and a pair of cables coupling the vertical pin to the handles, one ofsaid handles (in phantom) in an actuated position pulling the verticalpin from locking engagement with the tubular support member to permitpivoting of the rail member in a counterclockwise (in phantom) orclockwise (in phantom) direction relative to the tubular support member;

[0050]FIG. 38 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 36 showing thesiderail in a lower position;

[0051]FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 37 showing thesiderail in the lower position with the pin disengaged from theapertures formed in the tubular support member;

[0052]FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the hospital bed of FIG. 1showing the deck and a mattress, with portions broken away, positionedon the deck;

[0053]FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the mattress of FIG. 40 (with anouter layer of ticking removed);

[0054]FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the mattress of FIG. 40 takenalong line 42-42 of FIG. 40 showing the mattress including a firming padpositioned near the top of the mattress, an upper foam layer positionedunder the firming pad, a crowning bladder positioned under the upperfoam layer, a massage motor positioned under the crowning bladder, and apair of additional foam layers also positioned below the crowningbladder;

[0055]FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 43-43 of FIG.40 showing the mattress including another crowning bladder in a deflatedposition and the deck including a flexible deck panel in an un-flexedposition and a flexed position (in phantom);

[0056]FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44-44 of FIG.43, with portions broken away, showing one portion of the flexible panelincluding an elongated slot and a fastener positioned in the elongatedslot to permit the flexible panel to slide relative to the fastener topermit the flexible panel to bow downwardly when weight is applied tothe flexible panel (in phantom);

[0057]FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 43 showing thecrowning bladder in an inflated position to create a crown in themattress;

[0058]FIG. 46 is an end view of the foot section of the mattress of FIG.41 showing the foot section of the mattress formed to include angledsides to conform to the deck;

[0059]FIG. 47 is a side elevation view of the foot section of themattress of FIG. 41 showing the foot section formed to include slotspermitting the foot section to extend and retract;

[0060]FIG. 48 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment mattress;

[0061]FIG. 49 is an exploded view of another alternative embodimentmattress;

[0062]FIG. 50 is an exploded view of yet another alternative embodimentmattress including an air bladder having a plurality of cylinders;

[0063]FIG. 51 is a perspective view of an air system for controlling thepressure level in the air bladder of FIG. 50;

[0064]FIG. 52 is a perspective view of an alternative embodimentfootboard releasably coupled to the deck to permit the footboard to beremoved from the deck and positioned over the siderails to provide atable (in phantom) for a patient;

[0065]FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view showing the footboard of FIG. 52in the table position and positioned over the pair of siderails;

[0066]FIG. 54 is a perspective view of alternative headboard showing theheadboard including a tubular frame removably coupled to the deck and afabric screen coupled to the tubular frame;

[0067]FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 55-55 of FIG.54 showing the fabric screen coupled to the tubular frame;

[0068]FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternativeembodiment footboard removed from the deck and having a base and pair ofside flaps pivotably coupled to the base and positioned on the siderailsto support the base;

[0069]FIG. 57 is a view similar to FIG. 56 showing the side flaps in astorage position on the outside of the base;

[0070]FIG. 58 is a view similar to FIG. 57 showing another alternativefootboard having a base and a pair of side flaps positioned in a storageposition on the inside of the base;

[0071]FIG. 59 is a perspective view of yet another alternativeembodiment removable footboard positioned over a pair of siderails toprovide a table; and

[0072]FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view of the footboard of FIG. 59showing the footboard positioned over the inwardly slanting siderails;

[0073]FIG. 61 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimenthospital bed showing the hospital bed including a frame, a deck coupledto and positioned above the frame with a head section of the deck tiltedrelative to an intermediate frame of the frame, a mattress supported bythe deck, a headboard coupled to the frame, a footboard coupled to thedeck, a pair of head end siderails coupled to the head section of thedeck, a pair of foot end siderails coupled to the intermediate frame,and a pair of gap fillers coupled to the footboard and extending to thefoot end siderails;

[0074]FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the headboard of FIG. 61 showingthe headboard coupled to a portion of the intermediate frame, the bedincluding a pocket and a panel spaced apart from the headboard andaligned to fit within the pocket of the headboard;

[0075]FIG. 63 is an end view of the headboard of FIG. 61 showing thepanel spaced apart from the headboard;

[0076]FIG. 64 is a view similar to FIG. 63 showing the panel positionedin the pocket of the headboard;

[0077]FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the bed of FIG. 61 with the deck,mattress, siderails, and headboard removed showing the frame includingthe intermediate frame, a shroud covering a base frame, and four linkageassemblies supporting the intermediate frame over the shroud;

[0078]FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a portion of the base frameshowing a caster brake pedal coupled to the base frame and spaced apartfrom a caster coupled to the base frame;

[0079]FIG. 67 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 67-67 of FIG.66 showing a link extending from an arm of the caster brake pedal to anarm of a caster braking mechanism including a hexagonal rod;

[0080]FIG. 68 is a perspective view showing a hinge coupling one of thegap fillers of FIG. 61 to the footboard;

[0081]FIG. 69 is a side elevation view of the footboard and one of thegap fillers of FIG. 61 showing the footboard including a first fastenerand the gap filler including a second fastener aligned with the firstfastener to couple the gap filler to the footboard;

[0082]FIG. 70 is a top plan view of the footboard, one of the foot endsiderails, and one of the gap filler of FIG. 61 showing the gap fillerpositioned between the foot end siderail and the mattress;

[0083]FIG. 71 is a side elevation view of the bed of FIG. 61 showing thedeck in a bed position with the head section of the deck co-planar witha seat section of the deck;

[0084]FIG. 72 is a view similar to FIG. 71 showing the head section ofthe deck tilted relative to the seat section of the deck;

[0085]FIG. 73 is a view similar to FIG. 71 showing the head section ofthe deck tilted relative to the seat section of the bed and foot end ofthe head end siderail positioned adjacent to a notch formed in the footend siderail;

[0086]FIG. 74 is a partial perspective view of one of the foot endsiderails of FIG. 61 showing the foot end siderail including a railmember having a pocket, the bed further including a controllerpositioned for insertion into the pocket;

[0087]FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 75-75 of FIG.74 showing the rail member including a pair of recesses and thecontroller including a pair of ball-detents aligned to fit within therecesses of the rail member to removably secure the controller in thepocket of the foot end siderail;

[0088]FIG. 76 is a side elevation view of one of the head end siderailsshowing the head end siderail including a longitudinal slot and the bedfurther including a controller positioned in the slot to slide along thelength thereof;

[0089]FIG. 77 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 77-77 of FIG.76 showing the controller including a pair of tabs configured toremovably and slidably couple the controller to the head end siderail;

[0090]FIG. 78 is a side elevation view of one of the foot end siderailsshowing the foot end siderail including a longitudinal slot and thecontroller of FIG. 76 positioned in the slot to slide along the lengththereof;

[0091]FIG. 79 is a side elevation view of a foot end of the hospital bedshowing the deck including seat section pivotably coupled to theintermediate frame and a foot section pivotably coupled to the seatsection, the bed further including an actuator coupled to theintermediate frame and the seat section, the foot section resting on aroller coupled to the intermediate frame, and a link coupled to the footsection and the intermediate frame;

[0092]FIG. 80 is a view similar to FIG. 79 showing the actuator in anextended position tilting the seat section of the deck so that the footsection of the deck rolls on the roller and also assumes a tiltedposition;

[0093]FIG. 81 is a view similar to FIG. 79 showing the actuator in theextended position and the seat section in the tilted position, the linkbeing coupled to the intermediate frame to support the foot section is araised position;

[0094]FIG. 82 is a perspective view of the deck and intermediate frame,with portions broken away, showing a spill guard positioned between thehead section of the deck and the seat section of the deck;

[0095]FIG. 83 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 83-83 of FIG.82 showing the spill guard positioned between the head and seat sectionsof the deck;

[0096]FIG. 84 is a perspective view of a portion of the intermediateframe showing the bed further including a male communications connectorcoupled to the intermediate frame and a female communications connectoraligned to be coupled to the male communications connector;

[0097]FIG. 85 is a perspective view of a propulsion device coupled tothe base frame;

[0098]FIG. 86 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 86-86 of FIG.85 showing the propulsion device including a wheel and an actuator in aretracted position supporting the wheel in a position spaced apart fromthe floor;

[0099]FIG. 87 is a view similar to FIG. 86 showing the actuator in anextended position so that the wheel contacts the floor;

[0100]FIG. 88 is a perspective view of the mattress of FIG. 61, with aprotective cover removed, showing the mattress including a foot sectionincluding a retractable foam portion and a heel-pressure relief bladderpositioned in a cavity formed in the retractable foot section;

[0101]FIG. 89 is a side elevation view of the deck and mattress showinga tall person positioned on the mattress and the foot section of thedeck in an extended position with the heel of the tall person positionedover the heel-pressure relief bladder;

[0102]FIG. 90 is a view similar to FIG. 89 showing a short personpositioned on the mattress and the foot section in a retracted positionwith the heel of the short person positioned over the heel-pressurerelief bladder;

[0103]FIG. 91 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 91-91 of FIG.90 showing the heel-pressure relief bladder positioned in the cavityformed in the retractable foam portion;

[0104]FIG. 92 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimenthospital bed showing the hospital bed including a frame having a baseframe supported by a plurality of casters, a weigh frame, and a pair ofsupport arms positioned between the weigh frame and the base frame, aheadboard coupled to the base frame, a footboard coupled to the deck,and four foot pedal controls coupled to the base frame;

[0105]FIG. 93 is a top plan view of the frame showing the rectangularweigh frame and the frame further including an intermediate framecoupled to and positioned within the perimeter of the weigh frame;

[0106]FIG. 94 is a perspective view of the weigh frame and intermediateframe;

[0107]FIG. 95 is side elevation view the hospital bed of FIG. 92 takenalong line 95-95 of FIG. 93 showing the weigh frame and intermediateframe supported by the lift arms in a raised position;

[0108]FIG. 96 is a view similar to FIG. 95 showing the lift armssupporting the weigh frame in a lowered position;

[0109]FIG. 97 is a partial perspective view of a first of the pair offoot end siderails showing the first foot end siderail including a railmember and a removable controller mount aligned for coupling to the railmember with a pair of screws, the removable controller mount having apocket, and the bed further including a controller positioned in thepocket of the removable controller mount;

[0110]FIG. 98 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 98-98 of FIG.97;

[0111]FIG. 99 is a partial perspective view of a second of the pair offoot end siderails showing the second foot end siderail including a railmember and a substantially flat removable panel, with portions brokenaway, coupled to the rail member;

[0112]FIG. 100 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 100-100 ofFIG. 99;

[0113]FIG. 101 is a side elevation view of the controller of FIG. 97;

[0114]FIG. 102 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 102-102 ofFIG. 104 showing another controller including a latch configured toremovably and slidably couple the controller to one of the head and footend siderails;

[0115]FIG. 103 is a partial perspective view of the latch configurationof FIG. 102;

[0116]FIG. 104 is a side elevation view showing a back side of thecontroller of FIG. 102 showing the controller including a housing havinga pair of spaced-apart surfaces defining curved channels to complementthe contour of the siderails (shown in phantom);

[0117]FIG. 105 is a perspective view showing a pedal housing coupled toa portion of the base frame and four pedals pivotably coupled to thepedal housing;

[0118]FIG. 106 is a cross-sectional view taken line 106-106 of FIG. 105showing one of the foot pedals including a pedal pivotably coupled tothe pedal housing, a first spring positioned between the base frame andthe pedal to bias the pedal in a counterclockwise direction, a secondspring positioned between the base frame and the pedal to bias the pedalin a clockwise direction, a magnet coupled to a distal end of the pedal,and a sensor arranged to detect the position of the magnet;

[0119]FIG. 107 is a partial perspective view showing the head section ofthe deck titled relative to the weigh frame;

[0120]FIG. 108 is a cross-sectional view of the head end siderail takenalong line 108-108 of FIG. 109;

[0121]FIG. 109 is side elevation view of the bed of FIG. 92 showing thehead section of the deck titled relative to the weigh frame and the headend siderail in an up position;

[0122]FIG. 110 is a view similar to FIG. 109 showing the head endsiderail in a lowered position;

[0123]FIG. 111 is side elevation view of a portion of the head endsiderail in the raised position showing the siderail including a pair ofspaced-apart links pivotably coupled to a longitudinally extended rod,the rod including two pairs of cylindrical cams, and each link includinga pair of spaced-apart cylindrical cams positioned to contact thecylindrical cams of the rod;

[0124]FIG. 112 is a view similar to FIG. 111 showing the siderailtranslated to the right when in the lowered position;

[0125]FIG. 113 is a perspective view of a base frame of anotheralternative embodiment bed showing four casters coupled to the baseframe, a first pair of foot pedals coupled to two of the casters, asecond pair of foot pedals longitudinally spaced apart from the othertwo casters, a transverse link coupling the second pair of foot pedalstogether, and a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending linkscoupling the first and second pair of foot pedals together so that allfour casters are linked to move simultaneously;

[0126]FIG. 114 is a view identical to FIG. 90 showing a deck in asubstantially flat bed position; and

[0127]FIG. 115 is a view similar to FIG. 90 showing a head section ofthe deck raised to a titled position and the foot section of the deckextended in response to the head section of the deck being raised.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0128] As shown in FIG. 1, a hospital bed 10 is provided including aframe 12 positioned on the floor, a deck 14 coupled to frame 12, amattress 13 positioned on deck 14, a headboard 16 coupled to frame 12, afootboard 18 coupled to deck 14, and a pair of split siderails 20, 21coupled to frame 12. Frame 12 is configured to raise and lower deck 14relative to the floor and to move deck 14 to the Trendelenburg positionand the Reverse Trendelenburg position.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 1, headboard or first barrier 16 includes acurved base 30 coupled to frame 12 and a center panel 34 removablycoupled to base 30. Base 30 includes a pair of handles 48 to facilitatepushing hospital bed 10 about a care facility.

[0130] When necessary a caregiver removes center panel 34 from base 30and positions center panel 34 under a patient's torso to assist thecaregiver in administering CPR to the patient. The removability ofcenter panel 34 also permits access to the patient during such aprocedure from a head end of hospital bed 10 to allow the caregiver tomore easily administer the CPR procedure.

[0131] Center panel 34 includes a body portion 36, a handle portion 38coupled to body portion 36 to define an opening 42 therebetween, and apair of tongues 44 configured to mate with base 30 and provide slidingmovement therebetween. The preferred embodiment of center panel 34 ismade of a clear plastics material such as acrylic or clarifiedpolyethylene (PETG) so that a caregiver may view a patient positioned onhospital bed 10 through headboard 16. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, the center panel is made of othermaterials known to those of ordinary skill in the art that havetransparent, translucent, or non-opaque properties so that visible lightpasses therethrough. According to another alternative embodiment of thepresent disclosure, portions or all of the center panel is made of anopaque material. As shown in FIG. 2, base 30 is formed to include a pairof grooves 46 configured to receive tongues 44 of center panel 34 sothat center panel 34 is slidably coupled to base 30.

[0132] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, frame 12 includes a rectangular lowerframe member or base frame 32, a plurality of casters 50 coupled to baseframe 32 to permit hospital bed 10 to be rolled about a care facility, arectangular upper frame member or intermediate frame 52, a linkagesystem 54 coupled to intermediate and base frames 52, 32 to permitrelative motion therebetween, and an actuator system 56 providing powerto actuate linkage system 54 and move upper member 52 relative to baseframe 32. Linkage system 54 includes a pair of head links 58 pivotablycoupled to a head end 53 of intermediate frame 52 and slidably coupledto base frame 32, a pair of foot links 60 pivotably coupled to a footend 55 of intermediate frame 52 and slidably coupled to base frame 32,and a pair of guide links 62 pivotably coupled to respective foot links60 and pivotably coupled to base frame 32 at a fixed pivot point.

[0133] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, linkage system 54 further includesrollers 59 that ride in hollow base frame 32 and pins 61 extendingthrough elongated slots 70 formed in inner side walls of base frame 32to rotatably couple rollers 59 to the lower ends of head and foot links58, 60. Rollers 59 ride over a lower wall 63 of base frame 32 to providesmooth rolling movement between head and foot links 58, 60 and baseframe 32 to facilitate the sliding movement of head and foot links 58,60 in base frame 32.

[0134] Hospital bed 10 further includes a caster braking systemincluding a caster-brake link 65 extending through hollow base frame 32adjacent to roller 59 as shown in FIG. 4. The caster braking systeminterconnects each caster 50 to provide simultaneous braking of casters50. To simultaneously brake casters 50, the caregiver steps on one offoot brake pedals 63 and the caster braking system locks casters 50against rolling. A caster braking system similar to the caster brakingsystem of the present disclosure is more fully disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/263,039, filed Mar. 5, 1999, to Mobley et al.,entitled Caster and Braking System, which is expressly incorporated byreference herein.

[0135] Guide links 62 restrict the motion of foot links 60 such that thepivot point between foot links 60 and intermediate frame 52 isrestrained to move vertically without moving horizontally. Thisrestriction prevents horizontal movement of intermediate frame 52relative to base frame 32 during raising and lowering of intermediateframe 52. This restrained movement prevents intermediate frame 52 frommoving through an arch while moving between the upper and lowerpositions so that intermediate frame 52 can be raised and loweredwithout requiring additional hospital room for clearance.

[0136] It will be appreciated that, in order for guide links 62 toperform the restriction function, the distance between pivot points 49,51 of guide links 62 is one half the distance between axis 47 of rollers59 and pivot points 45 of the upper ends of foot links 60 and that eachguide link 62 is pivotably coupled to the respective foot link 60 atpivot point 51 that is one half the distance between axis 47 of theassociated roller 59 and pivot point 45 of the upper end of therespective foot link 60. Thus, the distance between upper pivot point 51of each guide link 62 and the lower pivot point 49 of each guide link 62is equal to the distance between upper pivot point 51 of each guide link62 and upper pivot point 45 of each foot link 60. As a result of thislink geometry, upper pivot points 45 of foot links 60 are maintained invertical alignment with lower pivot point 49 of guide links 62 duringraising and lower of frame members 52 relative to frame member 32.

[0137] Actuator system 56 provides the force and power necessary toraise and lower intermediate frame 52. Actuator system 56 includes ahead link actuator 64 coupled to head links 58 and intermediate frame 52and a foot link actuator 66 coupled to foot links 60 and intermediateframe 52. Actuator 64 is coupled to head links 58 through an extensionlink 75 that is rigidly coupled to a cross strut (not shown) whichextends between and is rigidly coupled to each of head links 58.Similarly, actuator 66 is coupled to foot links 60 through an extensionlink 77 that is rigidly coupled to a cross strut (not shown) whichextends between and which is rigidly coupled to each of foot links 60.The cross strut coupled to head links 58 coordinates the simultaneousmovement thereof, whereas the cross strut coupled to foot links 60coordinates simultaneous movement thereof.

[0138] Actuators 64, 66 have expandable lengths to adjust the angularposition of head and foot links 58, 60 relative to intermediate frame 52so that head and foot ends 53, 55 of intermediate frame 52 can be raisedor lowered. Each of actuators 64, 66 is preferably an electric linearactuator having respective cylinder bodies 67, cylinder rods 69, andmotors 71 that operate to extend and retract cylinder rods 69 relativeto cylinder bodies 67. Cylinder rods 69 are each pivotably coupled torespective pivot links 75, 77 and motors 71 are each pivotably coupledto a bracket 79 included in intermediate frame 52 as shown, for example,in FIG. 3.

[0139] When head and foot link actuators 64, 66 are actuatedsimultaneously, such that one of actuators 64, 66 extends while theother actuator 66, 64 retracts, intermediate frame 52 either raises awayfrom or lowers toward base frame 32 so that intermediate frame 52 ismaintained in a horizontal position and does not “swing” outwardly orinwardly relative to base frame 32. When head link actuator 64 isactivated and foot link actuator 66 is maintained at a constant length,intermediate frame 52 moves to the Trendelenburg position as shown inFIG. 5 so that head end 53 of intermediate frame 52 is lowered and footend 55 of intermediate frame 52 is slightly raised. When the foot linkactuator 66 is activated and head link actuator 64 is maintained at aconstant length, intermediate frame 52 moves to the ReverseTrendelenburg position so that foot end 55 of intermediate frame 52lowers and head end 53 of intermediate frame 52 slightly raises as shownin FIG. 6.

[0140] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, deck 14 is lowered by activating bothhead and foot link actuators 64, 66. As the length of foot link actuator66 increases, the angle between foot links 60 and intermediate frame 52decreases and foot end 55 of intermediate frame 52 lowers. As the lengthof head link actuator 64 decreases, the angle between head links 58 andintermediate frame 52 increases and head end 53 of intermediate frame 52lowers as shown, for example, in FIG. 5. As the length of foot linkactuator 66 continues to increase and the length of head link actuator64 continues to decrease, intermediate frame 52 continues to lower fromthe upper position to a lower position as shown in FIG. 5 (in phantom).Because head and foot link actuators 64, 66 decrease and increase theirrespective lengths at substantially the same rate, intermediate frame 52remains substantially horizontal while moving from the upper position,shown in FIG. 3, to the lower position shown in phantom in FIG. 5 (inphantom). To position upper frame 52 back in the upper position, linkactuator 64 is lengthened and foot link actuator 66 is simultaneouslyshortened until each actuator 64, 66 returns to its original length asshown in FIG. 3.

[0141] Linkage system 54 and actuator system 56 also cooperate to moveintermediate frame 52 to the Trendelenburg position as shown in FIG. 6.To move intermediate frame 52 to the Trendelenburg position, head linkactuator 64 decreases its length such that the angle betweenintermediate frame 52 and head links 58 increases. Head end 53 ofintermediate frame 52 lowers and the length of foot link actuator 66remains substantially constant to provide a pivot point about whichintermediate frame 52 rotates. As intermediate frame 52 rotates, footend 55 of intermediate frame 52 is slightly raised as shown in FIG. 6.To reposition intermediate frame 52 in the upper horizontal position,the length of head link actuator 64 is increased until it is returned toits previous length.

[0142] Actuator system 56 and linkage system 54 also cooperate toposition intermediate frame 52 in the Reverse Trendelenburg position asshown in FIG. 7. To move intermediate frame 52 to thereserve-Trendelenburg position, the length of foot link actuator 66 isincreased so that the angle between foot links 60 and intermediate frame52 is decreased and foot end 55 of intermediate frame 52 lowers. Theoverall length of head link actuator 64 remains substantially constantso that intermediate frame 52 pivots about head links 58. Asintermediate frame 52 pivots, head end 53 of intermediate frame 52 isslightly raised as foot end 55 of intermediate frame 52 lowers. Toreposition upper frame 52 in the upper horizontal position, the lengthof foot link actuator 66 is decreased until it is returned to itsprevious length.

[0143] Hospital bed 10 further includes two dampers 72 coupled to theinner walls of base frame 32 to engage the lower ends of foot links 60.Dampers 72 aid in raising intermediate frame 52 and deck 14 from thelower and Reverse Trendelenburg positions. During lowering of foot end55 of intermediate frame 52, dampers 72 resist movement of the footlinks 60 and store potential energy as a result of the lowering of footend 55 of intermediate frame 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, asfoot links 60 move along slot 70, damper 72 is compressed so thatpotential energy is stored. As intermediate frame 52 is moved from thelower position, as shown in FIG. 5, to the upper position as shown inFIG. 3, dampers 72 aid foot link actuators 66 in raising foot end 55 ofintermediate frame 52 by pushing lower ends of foot links 60 in thedirection that raises foot end 55 of intermediate frame 52 to the upperposition. Because dampers 72 store potential energy during lowering offoot end 55 of intermediate frame 52, foot link actuator 66 does notneed to be as powerful to raise foot end 55 of intermediate frame 52from the lower position to the upper position. According to analternative embodiment frame, a more powerful foot link actuator isprovided and dampers are not provided.

[0144] An alternative embodiment frame 612 is shown in FIGS. 8-13. Asshown in FIG. 8, frame 612 includes a lower frame member or base frame632, plurality of casters 50 coupled to base frame 632 to permit thehospital bed to be rolled about a care facility, an upper frame memberor intermediate frame 652, a linkage system 654 coupled to intermediateand base frames 652, 632 to permit relative motion therebetween, and anactuator system 656 providing power and force to actuate linkage system654 and move intermediate frame 652 relative to base frame 632. Linkagesystem 654 includes a pair of head link assemblies 658 pivotably coupledto intermediate frame 652 near a head end 653 of intermediate frame 652and rigidly coupled to base frame 632 and a pair of foot link assemblies660 slidably coupled to intermediate frame 652 near a foot end 655 ofintermediate frame 652 and rigidly coupled to base frame 632.

[0145] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, foot link assembly 660 furtherincludes rollers 659 that ride in hollow intermediate frame 652. Rollers659 are coupled to the upper ends of foot link assemblies 660 tofacilitate the sliding of foot link assemblies 660 relative tointermediate frame 652. Rollers 659 ride under an upper wall 663 ofintermediate frame 652 to provide smooth rolling movement between footlink assemblies 660 and intermediate frame 652.

[0146] Actuator system 656 provides the power and force necessary toraise and lower upper frame assembly 652. Actuator system 656 includes ahead link actuator 664 coupled to head link assemblies 658 and baseframe 632 and a foot link actuator 666 coupled to foot link assemblies660 and base frame 632. Actuators 664, 666 are similar to actuators 64,66 and have expandable lengths to adjust the angular position of headand foot link assemblies 658, 660 relative to base frame 632 so thathead and foot ends 653, 655 of intermediate frame 652 can be raised orlowered.

[0147] When head and foot link actuators 664, 666 are actuatedsimultaneously such that both actuators 664, 666 retract or extend,intermediate frame 652 either raises away from or lowers toward baseframe 632 so that intermediate frame 652 is maintained in a horizontalposition. When head link actuator 664 is activated and foot linkactuator 666 is maintained at a constant length, intermediate frame 652moves to the Trendelenburg position, as shown in FIG. 12, so that headend 653 of intermediate frame 652 is lowered and foot end 655 ofintermediate frame 652 is raised. When the foot link actuator 666 isactivated and head link actuator 664 is maintained at a constant length,intermediate frame 652 moves to the Reverse Trendelenburg position sothat foot end 655 of intermediate frame 652 lowers and head end 653 ofintermediate frame 652 raises as shown in FIG. 13.

[0148] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, intermediate frame 652 is lowered byactivating both head and foot link actuators 664, 666. As the length offoot link actuator 666 decreases, the angle between foot link assemblies660 and intermediate frame 652 decreases and foot end 655 ofintermediate frame 652 lowers. As the length of head link actuator 664decreases, the angle between head link assemblies 658 and intermediateframe 652 decreases and head end 653 of intermediate frame 652 lowers asshown, for example, in FIG. 11. As the length of foot and head linkactuators 666, 664 continue to decrease, intermediate frame 652continues to lower from the upper position to a lower position as shownin FIG. 11. Because head and foot link actuators 664, 666 decrease theirrespective lengths at substantially the same rate, intermediate frame652 remains substantially horizontal while moving from the upperposition shown in FIG. 9 to the lower position shown in FIG. 11 (inphantom). To reposition intermediate frame 652 back in the upperposition, head and foot link actuators 664, 666 are simultaneouslylengthened until each actuator 664, 666 is returned to its originallength.

[0149] As previously mentioned, linkage system 654 and actuator system656 cooperate to move intermediate frame 652 to the Trendelenburgposition as shown in FIG. 12. To move intermediate frame 652 from theposition shown in FIG. 9 to the Trendelenburg position shown in FIG. 12,head link actuator 664 decreases its length such that the angle betweenintermediate frame 652 and head link assemblies 658 decreases and headend 653 of intermediate frame 652 lowers and the length of foot linkactuator 666 remains substantially constant to provide a pivot pointabout which intermediate frame 652 rotates such that foot end 655 ofintermediate frame 652 is slightly raised. To reposition intermediateframe 652 to the horizontal upper position, the length of head linkactuator 664 is increased until it is returned to its original length asshown in FIG. 9.

[0150] Actuator system 656 and linkage system 654 also cooperate toposition intermediate frame 652 in the Reverse Trendelenburg position asshown in FIG. 13. To move intermediate frame 652 from the position shownin FIG. 9 to the Reverse Trendelenburg position shown in FIG. 13, thelength of foot link actuator 666 is decreased so that the angle betweenfoot link assemblies 660 and intermediate frame 652 is decreased andfoot end 655 of intermediate frame 652 lowers. The overall length ofhead link actuator 664 remains substantially constant so thatintermediate frame 652 pivots about head link assemblies 658. Asintermediate frame 652 pivots, head end 653 is slightly raised as footend 655 lowers. To reposition intermediate frame 652 to the horizontalupper position, the length of foot link actuator 666 is increased untilit is returned to its original length as shown in FIG. 9.

[0151] As shown in FIGS. 9, 12, 13, head and foot link assemblies 658,660 are configured to maintain a vertical orientation of the upper endthereof during movement of upper frame 652 between the variouspositions. Each head and foot link assembly 658, 660 includes first,second, third, and fourth links 668, 670, 672, 674 that cooperate tomaintain third link 672 in said vertical position. Each head and footlink assembly 658, 660 further includes a load cell 676 positionedbetween respective blocks 677 and rollers 659 and respective third links672 that measure the respective weight applied to each third link 672.Because third links 672 remain vertical, no trigonometric calculationsmust be made to correct the weight measurement due to the orientation ofload cell 676 relative to the floor.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 8, first links 668 comprise a series of bracketsthat are rigidly coupled to lower frame 632. Second links 670 areC-shaped and are pivotably coupled to the respective first links 668 bypins 669. A strut 678 extends between the respective second links 670 offoot link assemblies 660 to provide a rigid connection therebetween tocoordinate simultaneous movement of foot link assemblies 660 duringactuation by foot link actuator 666. An extension 680 is rigidly coupledto strut 678 to provide a moment arm through which the linear forceprovided by foot link actuator 666 is converted to torque for rotatingsecond links 670 of foot link assemblies 660.

[0153] Similarly, a strut 682 extends between the respective secondlinks 670 of head link assemblies 658 to provide a rigid connectiontherebetween to coordinate simultaneous movement of head link assemblies658 during actuation by head link actuator 664. An extension 684 isrigidly coupled to strut 682 to provide a moment arm through which thelinear force provided by head link actuator 664 is converted to torquefor rotating second links 670 of head link assemblies 658.

[0154] Third links 672 comprise a series of C-shaped brackets pivotablycoupled to respective second links 670 by pins 671. A strut 686 extendsbetween respective third links 672 of foot link assemblies 660 toprovide a rigid connection therebetween to coordinate simultaneousmovement of foot link assemblies 660 during actuation by foot linkactuator 666. Similarly, a strut 688 extends between the respectivethird links 672 of head link assemblies 658 to provide a rigidconnection therebetween to coordinate simultaneous movement of head linkassemblies 658 during actuation by head link actuator 664. Load cells676 are rigidly coupled to respective struts 686, 688 as shown in FIG.8.

[0155] Fourth links 674 comprise flat elongated bars pivotably coupledto respective third links 672 by pins 673 and first links 668 by pins675 to provide a complete four bar linkage for each head and foot linkassembly 658, 660. As shown in FIG. 10, each respective fourth link 674is positioned partially within the respective C-shaped second link 670to block insertion of objects between the respective second and fourthlinks 670, 674 to prevent pinching. As shown in FIG. 8, each respectivesecond link 670 is formed to include a notch 690 positioned to provideclearance for pin 675 while each foot and head link assemblies 658, 660is in the lower position.

[0156] As shown in FIGS. 8-13, third link 672 remains substantiallyvertical during movement of intermediate frame 652 through the variouspositions. As second links 670 are turned by respective head and footlink actuators 664, 666, third link 672 directs the horizontal andvertical movement of pin 673 so that pin 673 remains in substantiallythe same vertical and horizontal position relative to pin 671. Bymaintaining this relationship, third link 672 remains substantiallyvertical regardless of the vertical positions of head and foot ends 653,655 of intermediate frame 652.

[0157] Because third links 672 remain substantially vertical, load cells676 also remain in a substantially vertical orientation simplifying theoverall calculation necessary for determining the weight of the patient.To determine the total weight of the patient, the weights measured byload cells 676 are totaled and the predetermined weight of thecomponents of the hospital bed supported by load cells 676 aresubtracted from this total resulting in the weight of the patient. Theweights measured from load cells 676 do not need adjusted for theangular position of upper frame 652 because load cells 676 remainvertically oriented.

[0158] Pair of coupling blocks 677 are fixed to intermediate frame 652adjacent to head end 653 thereof and load cells 676 associated with headlink assemblies 658 each include a cylindrical stud 679 extendingtransversely therefrom into a bore formed in the respective block 677.As intermediate frame 652 tilts relative to base frame 632, blocks 677tilt along with frame member 652 while pivoting relative to theassociated load cells 676 on cylindrical stud 679 about pivot axis 681.In addition, as intermediate frame 652 tilts relative to base frame 632,rollers 659 rotate about pivot axis 683 relative to the associated loadcells 676 while also rolling either toward or away from blocks 677depending upon the direction that intermediate frame 652 tilts.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 14, footboard or second barrier 18 includes amodular control unit 692 for controlling the automated features ofhospital bed 10. Footboard 18 further includes a base 694 and modularcontrol unit 692 includes a support panel 696 slidably coupled to base694 and a control panel 698 pivotably coupled to support panel 696.Control panel 698 is rotatable between a use position, as shown in FIG.14, and a storage position in a recess 699 formed in support panel 696.Support panel 696 is also formed to include a notch 697 in which acaregiver can grab a distal end of control panel 698 to rotate it backto the use position.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 1 in phantom, control unit 692 is removable frombase 694 to permit replacement of control unit 692 for repairs orupgrading. According to the presently preferred embodiment of thehospital bed, multiple configurations of modular control units areprovided at the manufacturing facility. Depending on the specificconfiguration of the hospital bed, a different control unit will beprovided with the respective hospital bed by sliding the respectivecontrol unit into standard base 694.

[0161] Control panel 698 includes a series of buttons 710 forcontrolling the various functions of hospital bed 10. Deck 14 includeshead, back, seat, and foot portions or sections 22, 24, 26, 28 that canbe tilted relative to intermediate frame 52 and several mechanismsconfigured to adjust the angular position of these deck sections 22, 24,26, 28. As will be described in greater detail below, foot section 28 ofdeck 14 is extendable, seat section 26 of deck 14 can be tilted relativeto intermediate frame 52, back section 24 of deck 14 can be tiltedrelative to intermediate frame 52, and head section 22 of deck 14 canalso be tilted relative to intermediate frame 52.

[0162] Series of buttons 710 includes a first pair of buttons 711 forraising and lowering intermediate frame 52 and a second pair of buttons712 for raising and lowering seat section 26. Series of buttons 710 alsoincludes a third pair of buttons 714 for raising and lowering backsection 24 relative to intermediate frame 52 and a fourth pair ofbuttons 716 for simultaneously raising and lowering seat and backsections 26, 24. Another set of buttons 718 is provided for controllingthe various functions of the mattress as will be described in greaterdetail below. Control panel 698 further includes a display 719 formonitoring the status of the various functions of hospital bed 10.According to an alternative embodiment, the series of buttons alsoincludes a pair of buttons for moving the intermediate frame between theTrendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg positions, extending andretracting the foot section of the deck, and any other function of thebed. Control panel 698 preferably also includes buttons and a displayassociated with a bed exit and weighing system of bed 10.

[0163] An alternative embodiment control system 750 is shown in FIGS. 15and 16. Control system 750 includes a plurality of pedals 752 pivotablycoupled to the base frame. Each pedal 752 interacts with athree-position, dual contact switch that is activated by upward ordownward movement of said pedal 752 from a middle, neutral position tooperate a specific function of the hospital bed. For example, a firstpedal 754 is pivoted upwardly to raise the intermediate frame andstepped on to lower the intermediate frame. A second pedal 756 isprovided for tilting and untilting back section 24 relative tointermediate frame 52. Series of pedals 752 also includes a third pedal758 for moving intermediate frame 52 between the Trendelenburg andReverse Trendelenburg positions and a fourth pedal for 760 for tiltingand untilting seat section 26 relative to intermediate frame 52.According to an alternative embodiment the plurality of pedals alsoincludes a pedal for extending and retracting foot section 28 of thehospital bed. Each of pedals 752, therefore, is operated in an intuitivemanner to control the various functions of the hospital bed. That is,pedals 752 are stepped on to perform a “down” function and are liftedupwardly with the top of a user's foot to perform an “up” function.

[0164] As previously mentioned, deck 14 includes several sections 22,24, 26, 28 that can be tilted relative to intermediate frame 52. Headsection 22 is positioned adjacent to headboard 16 and is pivotablycoupled to back section 24 by a hinge 78 as shown in FIG. 17. Backsection 24 is pivotably coupled to upwardly extending flanges 73 ofintermediate frame 52 by a hinge 76. Seat section 26 is pivotablycoupled to upwardly extending flanges 73 of intermediate frame 52 by ahinge 116 as shown in FIGS. 22-25. Foot section 28 is pivotably coupledto seat section 26 by a hinge 118. Footboard 18 is coupled to footsection 28. Seat and foot sections 26, 28 have tapered ends 25, 27providing clearance therebetween during titling of foot section 28relative to seat section 26 as shown in FIG. 25. Thus, all sections 22,24, 26, 28 are pivotable relative to intermediate frame 52.

[0165] Hospital bed 10 includes a tilt mechanism 74 that enables headand back sections 22, 24 to be moved automatically relative tointermediate frame 52 (see FIGS. 20 and 21) and head section 22 to bemovable automatically relative to back section 24 (see FIG. 19 and 20).As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, tilt mechanism 74 includes a tilt actuator80 coupled to intermediate frame 52, a pair of transfer linkages 82pivotably coupled to tilt actuator 80, a transfer shaft 84 coupled totransfer linkages 82, a head-tilt linkage 86 pivotably coupled to headsection 22 and transfer shaft 84, and a back-tilt linkage assembly 88pivotably and slidably coupled to transfer shaft 84 and rigidly coupledto back section 24. As shown in FIG. 17, back-tilt linkage assembly 88includes a pair of links 90 rigidly coupled to back section 24 of deck14. Links 90 include slots 92 sized to receive transfer shaft 84.

[0166] To tilt head section 22 relative to back section 24, tiltactuator 80 is activated to push transfer linkage 82 to the right, asshown in FIG. 18, which pulls head tilt linkage 86 to the right to slidetransfer shaft 84 in slots 92 as shown in FIG. 19. This relativemovement of transfer shaft 84 relative to link 90 pivots head section 22relative to back section 24. Because head-tilt linkage 86 pushes thelower right hand corner of head section 22 outwardly and hinge 78continues to pivotably couple head section 22 to back section 24, headsection 22 tilts relative to back section 24 as shown in FIG. 19.

[0167] As tilt actuator 80 continues to push transfer linkage 82 to theright, transfer shaft 84 reaches the right-hand ends of slots 92 andengages links 90. Transfer shaft 84 then pushes links 90 to the right topivot back section 24 relative to intermediate frame 52 as shown in FIG.20. Because first hinge 76 pivotably couples back section 24 tointermediate frame 52 and links 90 are coupled to a lower left handcorner of back section 24 that is actuated to the right by tilt actuator80, back section 24 tilts relative to intermediate frame 52.Furthermore, the additional actuation of tilt actuator 80 continues themovement of head section 22 relative to intermediate frame 52 so thatthe degree of tilt between head section 22 and back section 24 ismaintained as back section 24 is tilted relative to intermediate frame52 as shown in FIG. 20. To return head and back sections 22, 24 to thehorizontal position, the length of tilt actuator is shortened until itreaches its original length.

[0168] Back-tilt linkage assembly 88 is configured to enable restrictionof the relative movement of head and back section 22 during actuation oftilt actuator 80. Back-tilt linkage assembly 88 further includes a pairof blockers 94 pivotably coupled to link 90 to move between anunblocking position (see FIG. 17) permitting movement of head section 22relative to back section 24 and a blocking position (see FIG. 21)restraining movement of head section 22 relative to back section 24.While in the unblocking position, transfer shaft 84 is free to move inslots 92 permitting movement of link 90 relative to head tilt linkage 86so that head section 22 can tilt relative to back section 24.

[0169] When blockers 94 are moved to the blocking position, as shown inFIG. 21, transfer shaft 84 is prevented from moving in slots 92 so thatthe initial movement of tilt actuator 80 not only moves head-tiltlinkage 86 and head section 22 but also moves links 90 of back-tiltlinkage assembly 88 and back section 24. This causes head section 22 totilt relative to intermediate frame 52 and back section 24 tosimultaneously tilt relative to intermediate frame 52 so that head andback sections 22, 24 remain substantially coplanar to one another asshown in FIG. 21.

[0170] Back-tilt linkage assembly 88 further includes a pair ofadjustment screws 89, 91 extending into links 90 for adjusting theeffective length of slots 92. As shown in FIG. 17, screw 89 extends intothe right end of link 90. If screw 89 is turned further into link 90,the effective length of the right end of slot 92 decreases to shortenthe travel range of transfer shaft 84 in the right end of slot 92. Bydecreasing the effective length of the right end of slots 92, the degreeof maximum tilt between head and back sections 22, 24 is reduced.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 17, screw 91 extends into the left end of link90. As screw 91 is turned into link 90, the effective length of the leftend of slot 92 decreases to shorten the travel range of transfer shaft84 in the left end of slot 92. By decreasing the effective length of theleft end of slots 92, the degree of minimum tilt between head and backsections 22, 24 is increased.

[0172] To facilitate movement of blocker 94 between the unblocking andblocking positions, back-tilt linkage assembly 88 includes a blockerlever 96 pivotably coupled to back section 24, cams 98 rigidly coupledto blocker lever 96, cam followers 100 rigidly coupled to blockers 94,and stops 110 rigidly coupled to links 90. Blocker lever 96 and cams 98are movable between a disengaged position, as shown in FIG. 17, and anengaged position as shown in FIG. 21. When in the disengaged position,cams 98 are spaced apart from cam followers 100 and blockers 94 are inthe unblocking position so that transfer shaft 84 is capable of movingin slots 92. When blocker lever 96 and cams 98 are moved to the engagedposition, blockers 94 pivot about pins 112 so that blockers 94 coverslots 92 and transfer shaft 84 is blocked from moving in slots 92.

[0173] To move blocker lever 96 to the engaged position, handle 114 isgripped and turned counter-clockwise in the direction of phantom arrow115, shown in FIG. 17, so that cams 98 engage cam followers 100. Camfollowers 100 have a slight angle relative to the length of blockers 94so that cams 98 ride up cam followers 100 to rotate blockers 94 relativeto links 90. Blockers 94 continue to rotate about pins 112 untilblockers 94 engage stops 110 preventing blockers 94 from rotating pastthe desired position. Thus, tilt mechanism 74 has a first configuration,corresponding to blockers 94 being in the unblocking position, in whichhead section 22 automatically tilts relative to back section 24 duringraising of head and back sections 22, 24 from a lowered, horizontalposition by actuator 80 and tilt mechanism 74 has a secondconfiguration, corresponding to blockers 94 being in the blockingposition, in which head and back sections 22, 24 are maintained incoplanar relation during raising of head and back sections 22, 24 fromthe lowered, horizontal position by actuator 80.

[0174] As shown in FIGS. 22-25, hospital bed 10 further includes a tiltmechanism 120 facilitating automatic tilting of foot and seat sections28, 26 relative to intermediate frame 52 and foot section 28 relative toseat section 26. Tilt mechanism 120 includes a tilt actuator 122 coupledto intermediate frame 52 and seat section 26 and a foot-tilt linkageassembly 124 pivotably coupled to foot section 28 and intermediate frame52. Foot-tilt linkage assembly 124 is movable between a locked position,shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, and an unlocked position, shown in FIGS. 24and 25, to provide two modes of titling between seat section 26 and footsection 28.

[0175] When in the locked position, foot-tilt linkage assembly 124provides a rigid link between intermediate frame 52 and foot section 28.As tilt actuator 122 is lengthened, seat section 26 pivots relative tointermediate frame 52 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 25. When foot-tiltlinkage assembly 124 is in the locked position and tilt actuator 122 isactivated, foot section 28 moves upwardly relative to intermediate frame52 as shown in FIG. 23 while maintaining a substantially horizontalorientation.

[0176] When foot-tilt linkage assembly 124 is “broken”, as shown in FIG.24, and tilt actuator 122 is activated, as shown in FIG. 25, footsection 28 rotates about a roller 126 coupled to intermediate frame 52so that a proximal end of foot section 28 is raised and a distal end offoot section 28 lowers. Thus, foot section 28 is movable relative toseat section 26 to maintain a substantially horizontal position, asshown in FIG. 23, when foot-tilt linkage assembly 124 is in the lockedposition and a tilted position, as shown in FIG. 25, relative tointermediate frame 52 when foot-tilt linkage assembly 124 is in theunlocked position.

[0177] To facilitate movement between the locked and unlocked positions,foot-tilt linkage assembly 124 includes a pair of first links 132pivotably coupled to foot section 28 and a pair of second links 134pivotably coupled to respective first links 132 and intermediate frame52 as shown in FIG. 23 and 26. Foot-tilt linkage assembly 124 alsoincludes a pair of handles 136 coupled to second links 134 to facilitatemovement of second links 134 relative to first links 132 to positionfoot-tilt linkage assembly 124 in either the locked or unlockedposition.

[0178] Second link 134 is U-shaped having a pair of parallel side walls135 and a bottom plate 137. As shown in FIG. 23, the end of first link132 coupled to second link 134 engages bottom plate 137 when first andsecond links 132, 134 are in the locked position to prevent first andsecond links 132, 134 from going over center.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 26, foot-tilt linkage assembly 124 furtherincludes a connector link 138 extending between right and left firstlinks 132. Connector link 138 coordinates the movement of the respectivepairs of links 132, 134 so that each pair of links 132, 134 is lockedand unlocked simultaneously.

[0180] Split siderails or third and fourth barriers 20, 21 are pivotablycoupled to frame 12 and configured to move between upper positions, asshown in FIGS. 1, 28 and 30, and lower positions, as shown in FIG. 31,to permit entry and egress of patients into and out of hospital bed 10.Split siderails 20, 21 are configured to be movable between the upperand lower positions by a caregiver or by a patient positioned inhospital bed 10 by releasing split siderails 20, 21 to move. Furthermoresplit siderails 20, 21 are provided with locks that prevent a patientpositioned in hospital bed 10 from lowering siderails 20 as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

[0181] Each siderail 20, 21 is coupled to intermediate frame 52 by apair of fasteners 140. Thus, as each section 22, 24, 26, 28 of deck 14is tilted relative to intermediate frame 52 as previously described,siderails 20, 21 do not move relative to intermediate frame 52 as shownin FIGS. 19-21, 23, and 25.

[0182] Each siderail 20, 21 includes a respective clear rail member 141,143 and a linkage assembly 142 coupled between respective clear railmember 141, 143 and intermediate frame 52 that permits rail member 141,143 to be moved between upper and lower positions as shown in FIGS. 30and 31. The preferred embodiment of rail members 141, 143 are made of aclear plastics material such as acrylic or clarified polyethylene(PETG). According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,the rail members are made of other materials known to those of ordinaryskill in the art that have transparent, translucent, or other non-opaqueproperties so that visible light can pass through the rail members.

[0183] According to an alternative embodiment clear siderails, light is“piped” through clear siderail members to provide illumination of theclear siderail member. Such illumination provides an indication tocaregivers of the location of the hospital bed when the hospital room isdark because the siderails are illuminated. Such illumination also mayserve as a nightlight for the patient supported on bed 10. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that appropriate circuitry may be fashionedso that the clear siderails become illuminated only when in the loweredposition to light up the floor adjacent bed 10, thereby facilitating apatient getting into or out of bed when the hospital room is dark. Thelight source may be fiber optic, high intensity LED's, light bulbs or anIndiglo™-brand illuminating material coupled to the respective railmember 141, 143 to illuminate all or a portion of said rail member 141,143.

[0184] It is within the scope of the disclosure as presently perceivedfor a first portion of the clear siderail to be piped with light of afirst color and for a second portion of the clear siderail to be pipedwith light of a second color. In such an embodiment, an opaque, dividingmaterial is provided between the first and second portions of thesiderail to prevent light from being piped therebetween. Optionally,multiple colors of light may illuminate multiple portions of the clearsiderail if desired. According to alternative embodiments, the railmembers are colored and/or translucent.

[0185] Linkage assembly 142 includes a first link 144 rigidly coupled tointermediate frame 52, a pair of curved second links 146 pivotablycoupled to first link 144, a third link 148 pivotably coupled to secondlinks 146, and a curved fourth link 150 pivotably coupled to third andfirst links 144, 148. First link 144 includes a base 152 coupled tointermediate frame 52 by fasteners 140 and four upwardly extendingflanges 154 rigidly coupled to base 152 as shown in FIG. 27. Each secondlink 146 includes a looped first end 156 pivotably coupled to flanges154 by a rod 158 and a looped second end 160 pivotably coupled to thirdlink 148 by a rod 162 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

[0186] Third link 148 includes a base plate 164, a first pair ofinwardly extending flanges 166 coupled to base plate 164, and a secondpair of inwardly extending flanges 168 also coupled to base plate 164 asshown in FIG. 27. Rod 162 extends between flanges 166 and through secondends 160 of second link 146 to provide the pivotable connectiontherebetween.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 27, fourth link 150 includes a base 170 and alatch-receiving slot 172 formed in base 170. A first end 174 of base ispivotably coupled to second pair of flanges 168 of third link 148 by arod 176. Similarly, a second end 177 of base 170 is pivotably coupled tothe lower ends of flanges 154 of first link 144 by a rod 178. Thus,linkage assembly 142 provides a four bar linkage permitting siderails20, 21 to swing between the upper and lower positions.

[0188] Each siderail 20, 21 further includes a retainer 180 configuredto “bind” the four bar linkage to prevent siderails 20, 21 from movingfrom the upper position to the lower position. As shown in FIG. 28,retainer 180 includes a Z-shaped latch member 182 positioned inlatch-receiving slot 172 and pivotably coupled to fourth link 150 by rod184 to move between a latched position, as shown in FIG. 28, and anunlatched position, as shown in FIG. 30, and a catch rod 186 coupled tofirst link 144. Rod 186 extends between flanges 154 of first links 144as shown in FIG. 27. Latch member 182 includes a first end 188 thatengages catch rod 186 and a second end 190. A patient-inaccessiblerelease or handle 192 is provided that is coupled to second end 190.First end 188 includes a notch 194 configured to receive catch rod 186therein to secure latch member 182 in the latched position as shown inFIG. 28.

[0189] When first end 188 is latched onto catch rod 186, a three barlinkage is established between first link 144, latch member 182, andfourth link 150. This arrangement of linkages binds first link 144relative to fourth link 150 so that linkage assembly 142 is also boundfrom moving while latch member 182 is in the latched position to preventsiderails 20, 21 from swinging to the lower position.

[0190] To unbind linkage assembly 142 and permit siderails 20, 21 toswing to the down position, latch member 182 must be moved from thelatched position to the unlatched position as shown in FIG. 30. Acaregiver can unlatch latch member 182 by pulling downwardly andoutwardly on handle 192 to pivot latch member 182 in the clockwisedirection as shown in FIG. 30. This movement pulls first end 188 oflatch member 182 away from catch rod 186 so that latch member 182 nolonger binds first and fourth links 144, 150. Because first and fourthlinks 144, 150 are free to pivot relative to one another, linkageassembly 142 is also unbound and free to permit siderails 20, 21 toswing between the upper and lower positions. A spring 196 is providedbetween a middle portion of fourth link 150 and a spring mount 197coupled to a middle portion of latch member 182 to bias latch member 182toward the latched position. According to alternative embodiments of thepresent disclosure, other retainers are provided to hold the siderailsin the upper position such as clasps, catches, locks, other latches,clamps, pins, bolts, bars, hasp, hooks, or other retainers known tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

[0191] Handle 192 is positioned to be inaccessible by a person lying,sitting or otherwise normally positioned on mattress 13 so that only acaregiver can easily reach handle 192 to remove the hold of latch member182 to permit lowering of siderail 20. Therefore, handle 192 is remoteto or out of reach of a person positioned on mattress 13 so that such aperson cannot readily use handle 192 to lower siderail 20 while lying orsitting on mattress 13.

[0192] Siderails 20 further include a patient-accessible release 198 topermit a patient lying or sitting in hospital bed 10 to release latchmember 182. Release 198 includes a handle 210 pivotably coupled to thirdlink 148 by a pin 149 and upper and lower transfer rods 212, 213extending between handle 210 and latch member 182 as shown in FIG. 28.Handle 210 includes a cam surface 214 configured to engage the upper endof upper transfer rod 212. As handle 210 is pivoted inwardly by thepatient, as shown in FIG. 30, the upper end of transfer rod 212 ispushed downwardly to engage an upper end of lower transfer rod 213 andpush lower transfer rod 213 downwardly. This downward movement of lowertransfer rod 213 rotates latch member 182 in the clockwise direction tounlatch latch member 182 from catch rod 186 as shown in FIG. 30. Thus, apatient positioned in hospital bed 10 may reach handle 210 and releaselatch member 182 to lower either of siderails 20 and leave hospital bed10.

[0193] Release 198 further includes a spring 216 positioned to biasupper transfer rod 212 upwardly. Upper transfer rod 212 has a steppedconfiguration as shown in FIG. 28 and rail member 141 is formed toinclude a bore 217 sized to receive upper transfer rod 212. Spring 216is trapped between the step of upper transfer rod 212 and a plug 219screwed into a lower end of bore 217. As upper transfer rod 212 is moveddownwardly by handle 210, spring 216 is compressed. After handle 210 isreleased, this compression forces upper transfer rod 212 back upwardlyand the engagement of upper transfer rod 212 with handle 210 rotateshandle 210 back to the position shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurationsof releases known to those of ordinary skill in the art are providedthat release the retainer from holding the siderails in the up position.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 31, when siderail 20 is moved to the downposition, upper transfer rod 212 is spaced apart from and misalignedwith lower transfer rod 213. Thus, a two-piece transfer rod 212, 213 isprovided that transmits motion from handle 210 to latch member 182 whensiderail 20 is in the up position, as shown in FIG. 30, and is “broken”when siderail 20 is in the lowered position as shown in FIG. 31.

[0195] Patient-accessible release 198 further includes a lock 224 thatlocks handle 210 to prevent the patient from lowering siderails 20. Asshown in FIG. 29, lock 224 includes a lock member 228 pivotably coupledto third link 148. Lock member 228 includes a core 230 and a finger 232coupled to core 230. A base plate 226 is coupled to rail member 141 andis formed to include a core-receiving aperture 234 sized to receive core230 of lock member 228. Handle 210 includes a ledge 236 positioned toengage finger 232 of lock member 228. Core 230 is formed to include aslot 238 sized to receive a key such as a coin, screw driver, or otherflat object therein.

[0196] Core 230 is rotatably received in core-receiving aperture 234 sothat finger 232 can rotate between an upright locked position, as shownin FIG. 28, and a downwardly extending unlocked position as shown inFIG. 30. To turn finger 232 between the locked and unlocked position, acaregiver positions a coin, screw driver, or other flat object in slot238 and turns lock member 228 in the clockwise direction to move finger232 to the locked position from the unlocked position and in thecounter-clockwise direction to move finger 232 to the unlocked position.While in the locked position, finger 232 is positioned adjacent ledge236 and blocks pivoting of handle 210 so that upper transfer rod 212cannot be pushed downwardly. While in the unlocked position, finger 232is positioned away from ledge 236 so that handle 210 is free to pivotand a patient may unlock latch member 182 and lower siderail 20.

[0197] Lock mechanism 224 is configured to provide an indication ofwhether lock member 228 is in the locked or unlocked position. Core 230is somewhat cylinder-shaped having a curved side wall 240 and a flatside wall 242. Curved side wall 240 permits core 230 to rotate incore-receiving aperture 234. Flat side wall 242 and an edge 244 of baseplate 226 that defines core-receiving aperture 234 cooperate to define arotating window 246 therebetween. As core 230 is rotated, window 246rotates from being located above core 230, as shown in FIG. 30, to belowcore 230 as shown in FIG. 28. Third link 148 includes a portionpositioned behind core 230. An upper half 248 of the portion is paintedwhite and a lower half 250 is painted red.

[0198] Painted upper and lower halves 248, 250 and window 246 cooperateto provide an indication as to when lock member 228 is in the locked orunlocked positions. When lock member 228 is in the locked position, asshown in FIG. 28, the red surface of lower half 250 is exposed throughwindow 246 to indicate that lock 224 is locked to prevent lowering ofsiderail 20 by the patient. As core 230 is rotated, the white surface ofupper half 248 is exposed through window 246 to indicate that lock 224is unlocked so that a patient can lower siderail 20.

[0199] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of locks are provided such as latches, bolts, pins,clasps, hooks, clamps, keyed locks, unkeyed locks, or other devicesknown to those of ordinary skill in the art that prevent or avoidmovement of the retainer from holding the siderails in the upperposition. For example, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a lock configuration is provided so that when the lockconfiguration is in a first position a release is moved to release thehold of the retainer on the siderail and in a second position therelease is moved, but the motion is “lost” and the retainer continues tohold the siderail in the upper position.

[0200] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of siderails that also include patient-accessiblerelease assemblies are provided such as clocking siderails that rotateabout a transverse and horizontal axis, dropping siderails the move in asubstantially vertical plane, or any other configuration of siderailsknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations of railmembers with patient-accessible release assemblies are provided. Forexample, rail members including tubes, bars, solid panels, panels withopenings, or other configurations of rail members known to those ofordinary skill in the art are provided with patient-accessibleunlatching assemblies. According to an alternative embodiment of thepresent disclosure, a mechanical damper, dashpot, or gas spring isprovided to prevent rapid movement of the siderail from the up positionto the down position. Additional description of such a device isprovided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,548, entitled Chair Bed, to Weismilleret al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 1, when siderails 20, 21 are in upper position,rail members 141, 143 block a patient's egress from hospital bed 10.Rail member 141 includes a bottom portion 252 coupled to third link 148of linkage assembly 142, an angled end portion 254 extending from bottomportion 252, a curved end portion 256 extending up from bottom portion252 and spaced apart from angled end portion 254, and a top rail portion258 coupled to and extending between angled and curved end portions 254,256. Rail member 143 includes a bottom portion 253 coupled to linkageassembly 142, an angled end portion 255 extending from bottom portion253 at an angle complementary to angled end portion 254 of rail member141, a curved end portion 257 extending up from bottom portion 253 andspaced apart from angled end portion 255, and a top rail portion 259coupled to and extending between angled and curved end portions 255,257. Thus, each rail member 141, 143 provides a barrier to a patientpositioned in hospital bed 10 so that the patient is restrained fromexiting hospital bed 10 when siderails 20, 21 are in the upperpositions.

[0202] Each siderail 20 further includes a clear armrest 260 pivotablycoupled to top rail portion 258 of rail member 141 by a pair of straps262. Armrest 260 is movable between a storage position, as shown in FIG.32, and a use position as shown in FIG. 33 so that armrest 260 iscantilevered from rail member 141. Bottom portion 252, top rail portion258, angled end portion 254, and curved end portion 256 cooperate todefine a pocket 264 in which armrest 260 is positioned while in thestorage position as shown in FIGS. 32 and 34. To move armrest 258 to theuse position, a patient or caregiver rotates armrest 270° to theposition shown in FIGS. 33 and 35. While in the use position, a patientmay rest their arm on armrest 258 or position a cup 265 in a recess 266formed in armrest 258 defining a cup or container holder. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurationsof container holders are provided such as an opening extendingcompletely through the arm rest, an adjustable container holderconfigured to hold multiple sizes of containers, or other container orcup holder configurations known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0203] Armrest 260 includes a base portion 268 coupled to rail member141 of siderail 20 by straps 262 and a stop plate 270 coupled to baseportion 268 by an adhesive. Stop plate 270 is positioned to stop baseportion 268 in the use position. Base portion 268 is formed to include anotch 272 sized to permit access to handle 210 so that a patient or acaregiver can access and pivot handle 210 when armrest 260 is in thestorage position.

[0204] Top rail portion 258 of rail member 141 and stop plate 270 areconfigured to stop the rotation of armrest 260 when it reaches the useposition. Top rail portion 258 has a dual-lobe cross section as shown inFIGS. 34 and 35. Top rail portion 258 has a circular base lobe 274 and adownwardly extending stop lobe 276 coupled to base lobe 274. Circularbase lobe 274 has a circular outer surface 278 having a substantiallyuniform radius of curvature from the axis of rotation of armrest 260 sothat an inner edge 280 of stop plate 270 does not engage outer surface278 to impede the rotation of armrest 260 as it rotates from the storageposition to the use position. Stop lobe 276 extends radially outwardlyfrom outer surface 278 of base lobe 274 so that inner edge 280 of stopplate 270 engages stop lobe 276 after 270° of rotation. Thus, therotation of armrest 260 is stopped at the use position as shown in FIG.35. Stop lobes 276 and, optionally, base lobes 274 are formed to includegrooves (not shown) that receive straps 262. Receipt of straps 262 inthese grooves prevents longitudinal shifting of armrests 260 relative totop rail portions 258 of the respective rail member 141 while permittingrotation of armrests 260 relative to top rail portions 258. According toalternative embodiments, the inner edge engaging the stop lobe isintegrally formed in the base of the armrest. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, the arm rest is slidably,removably, or otherwise coupled to the rail member.

[0205] An alternative embodiment siderail 282 is shown in FIGS. 36-39.

[0206] Siderail 282 includes a base frame 284 coupled to intermediateframe 52, a rail member 286 pivotably coupled to base frame 284, and aretainer 288 positioned on rail member 286 to hold rail member 286 inone of a plurality of positions. As shown in FIG. 36, siderail 282 ismoveable to an upright use position to block the egress of a patientfrom the hospital bed, and a lowered storage position permitting thepatient to exit the hospital bed as shown in FIG. 38.

[0207] Base frame 284 includes a pair of arms 290 rigidly coupled tointermediate frame 52 and a tubular support member 292 extending betweenarms 290 as shown in FIG. 36. Rail member 286 includes a base portion294, a top rail portion 296 coupled to base portion 294, a first pair ofposts 298 coupled to base portion 294, a pair of collars 310 coupled tothe distal end of respective posts 298 to provide pivotal movementbetween base portion 294 and tubular support member 292, a second pairof posts 312 coupled to base portion 294, and a collar 314 coupled tothe distal ends of second pair of posts 312 to provide pivotal movementbetween base portion 294 and tubular support member 292. Collars 310engage arms 290 to prevent longitudinal shifting of rail member 286relative to tubular support member 292.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 37, retainer 288 includes a pair of pins 318,springs 322 positioned around pins 318, and retention pins 324 coupledto pins 318. A release 319 is provided that includes a pair of flathandles 316 pivotably coupled to base portion 294 of rail member 286 andcables 320 coupling handles 316 to pins 318. Tubular support member 292is formed to include first, second, and third apertures 326, 328, 330.Pins 318 are sized to slide into apertures 326, 328, 330 to holdsiderail 282 into either an inner, vertical, or horizontal position.Rail member 286 includes a pair of first stabilizer blocks 285 appendedto collar 314 adjacent to posts 312 and a pair of second stabilizerblocks 287 appended to base portion 294 adjacent to posts 312. Pins 318extend through aligned bores 289, 291 formed in respective stabilizerblocks 285, 287 and through respective bores 293 formed in collar 314.Pins 318 are selectively received in apertures 326, 328, 330 when bores289, 291, 293 are aligned with one of apertures 326, 328, 330 andhandles 316 are released.

[0209] To move siderail 282 from one position to another, either ofhandles 316 are pivoted upwardly (shown in phantom in FIG. 37) so thatone of cables 320 pulls pin 318 out of the respective aperture 326, 328,330. When pins 318 are removed from apertures 326, 328, 330, siderail282 is released to pivot about tubular support member 292. Pins 318slide over tubular support member 292 until they slide into the nextrespective aperture 326, 328, 330 to hold siderail 282 into the nextrespective position.

[0210] When pins 318 are positioned in first apertures 326, siderail 282is in the inner position so that rail member 286 is inclined inwardlytoward the deck of the hospital bed and function as armrests for thepatient. When pins 318 are positioned in second apertures 328, siderail282 is in the substantially vertical upper position. When pins 318 arepositioned in third apertures 330, siderail 282 is substantiallyhorizontal so that a patient can be supported on siderail 282 duringlateral patient transfer between the hospital bed and anotherpatient-support device located adjacent to the hospital bed.

[0211] When pins 328 are removed from apertures 326, 328, 330, springs322 are compressed between retention pins 324 and second stabilizerblock 287 as shown in FIG. 39. This compression urges pins 328 back tothe retention position when they slide over one of apertures 326, 328,330. As pins 328 move back to the retention position, cables 320 pullhandles 316 back to the stored position shown in FIG. 37.

[0212] Deck 14 is configured to support mattress 13. As shown in FIG.40, 42, 43, and 44 each section 22, 24, 26, 28 of deck 14 includesangled side walls 358. Head and foot sections 22, 28 have substantiallyflat bottom floors or walls 360. Angled side walls 358 and floor 360cooperate to define obtuse angles therebetween of approximately 135°.According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, theobtuse angles between the side walls and the floor may be range fromslightly more than 90° to slightly less than 180°. According to otheralternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the angles are rightangles or acute angles.

[0213] As shown in FIGS. 28, 30, and 31, angled side walls 358 permitsiderails 20, 21 to be coupled to intermediate frame 52 at a positioninset from the outer perimeter of deck 14 and beneath said deck 14 toprovide hospital bed 10 with a narrower overall width than beds withouttucking siderails. When siderails 20, 21 are positioned in the lowerposition, top rail portions 258, 259 are positioned beneath theperimeter of mattress 13 so that rails 20, 21 do not extend beyond thewidth of mattress 13. Furthermore, by insetting siderails 20, 21, lessroom is necessary for siderails 20, 21 to swing between the upper andlower positions. In addition, when siderails 20, 21 are in their loweredpositions, top edges of siderails 20, 21 are located adjacent to theangled side walls between the top and bottom surfaces of mattress 13which increases the amount of clearance that exists between the bottomedges of siderails 20, 21 and the floor when intermediate frame 52 anddeck 14 are in their lowered positions.

[0214] Back and seat sections 24, 26 of deck 14 have flexible bottomsthat flex due to a patient's weight to provide additional compliance tobed 10 that would otherwise require additional foam in mattress 13. Backand seat sections 24, 26 of deck 14 include angled side walls 358,respective horizontal flanges 416, 418 coupled to angled side walls 358,and a flexible panel or support member 420 coupled to horizontal flanges416, 418 by fasteners 422 as shown in FIGS. 43-45. As shown in FIG. 44,each respective corner of flexible panels 420 is formed to include aslot 424 to receive one of fasteners 422. As weight is placed onflexible panels 420, they bend downwardly, as shown in phantom in FIGS.43 and 45, and the outer edges of flexible panels 420 are pulledinwardly as slots 424 move relative to fasteners 422 as shown in phantomin FIG. 44. This movement permits panels 420 to deflect approximately 2inches. Flexible panels 420 are made of compression molded glass meshbonded by a hard thermoset resin. The preferred flexible panel isprovided by Premix. According to alternative embodiments, flexiblepanels made of other materials are provided.

[0215] Flexible panel 420 is radiolucent to facilitate taking X-rays ofa patient lying in hospital bed 10. Furthermore, flexible panel 420 hasa substantially smooth surface to facilitate wiping or cleaning of deck14. Thus, a flexible deck is provided that permits X-raying a patientpositioned in hospital bed 10 and is also relatively easy to clean.

[0216] Foot section 28 of deck 14 is extendable and retractable. A fulldescription of foot section 28 is disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/120,125, filed Jul. 22, 1998, the disclosure of which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 40, deck 14 further includes a pair of griphandles 434 coupled to the upper end of head section 22 of deck 14. Apatient positioned in hospital bed 10 may reposition themselves bygrabbing grip handles 434 to lift their weight and shifting themselvesto the right or left or pulling themselves closer to head end 53 ofupper frame 52. An alternative embodiment pair of grip handles 435 isshown in FIG. 53. Grip handles 435 are coupled on the upper corner ofthe head section of the deck and aid in keeping the mattress properlypositioned on the deck. It is known that when an upper body section of ahospital bed is raised, there is a tendency for a patient supported onthe bed to slide toward the foot end of the bed and therefore, griphandles 434, 435 are especially useful for patients to repositionthemselves when back and head sections 22, 24 are raised.

[0218] As shown in FIGS. 40 and 42, hospital bed 10 includesmulti-component mattress 13. Mattress 13 includes a firm foam perimeterframe 334, a firming pad 336, an upper soft foam layer 338 positionedbelow firming pad 336, a heating layer 340 positioned below upper softfoam layer 338, a crowning bladder 342 positioned below heating layer340, a plurality of massage motors 344 positioned below crowning bladder342, a middle foam layer 346 positioned below crowning bladder 342, alower foam layer 348 positioned below middle foam layer 346, and a layerof ticking 347 that covers the other components of mattress 13 as shownbest in FIG. 42.

[0219] Firm foam perimeter frame 334 is made of foam material of greaterfirmness than soft foam layer 338 to provide mattress 13 with astructure that urges a patient away from the perimeter of mattress 13.Perimeter frame 334 includes a head portion or section 350, a bodyportion of section 352 made of a foam that is softer than head section350, and a seat portion or section 353 made of a foam having a firmnessequal to body section 352. Each section 350, 352, 353 of perimeter frame334 has an angled base portion 354 and a flange portion 356 coupled tobase portion 354. Angled base portions 354 conform to deck 14 and flangeportions 356 extend out beyond deck 14 as shown in FIG. 42. The adjacentends of sections 350, 352, 353 cooperate to define respective taperedgaps 355, 357 (as shown in FIG. 41) therebetween to facilitate tiltingof head, back, and seat sections 22, 24, 26 of deck 14.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 40, firming pad 336 includes a plurality oftransversely extending bladders 362. Firming pad 336 includes an inlettube 364 that delivers pressured air to bladders 362. The pressurizedair inflates bladders 362, as shown in FIG. 42, to stiffen mattress 13.By stiffening mattress 13, caregivers are better able to administer CPRand remove the patient from hospital bed 10. Furthermore, by stiffeningmattress 13, a patient is better able to perform exercises while inhospital bed 10 than if mattress 13 was not stiffened. Hospital bed 10further includes a dead head pump (not shown) to inflate bladders 362and an exhaust port (not shown) for releasing the pressurized air frombladders 362 to return mattress 13 to the softer condition.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 41, upper soft foam layer 338 includes a headand back portion of section 339 and a separate seat portion or section341. As shown in FIG. 42, each portion or section 339, 341 includes apair of tapered side surfaces or walls 366, 368 configured to mate withbase portion 354 of perimeter frame 334. An aperture 370 is formed inupper foam layer 338 to receive inlet tube 364. As previously mentioned,upper soft foam layer 338 is made of softer foam to provide a softstructure on which the patient may rest.

[0222] Heating layer 340 is positioned under upper soft foam layer 338to be near the surface of mattress 13. Heating layer 340 is preferablymade of a resistive heating material, such as Gorix. A cable 372 iscoupled to heating layer 340 and a heating control portion of controlunit 692 that regulates the temperature and timing of the heating.According to an alternative embodiment, a heating layer is provided withzones to heat different areas of the mattress at different temperatureor durations of time. For example, the foot end of the mattress could beheated to provide heating of the foot extremities while the body sectionis heated at a lower temperature.

[0223] Crowning bladder 342 is moveable between a deflated position, asshown in FIG. 43, wherein mattress 13 is substantially flat and aninflated position wherein mattress 13 is crowned, as shown in FIG. 45,to facilitate lateral patient transfer from bed 10 to anotherpatient-support device adjacent bed 10 by creating an inclined surfacewhich provides a slight amount of gravity assistance when the caregiveris moving the patient toward the side of mattress 13. It is preferredthat firming pad 336 and crowning bladder 342 are both inflated duringpatient transfer, although it is not necessary.

[0224] As shown in FIG. 42, crowning bladder 342 includes a top layer374, a bottom layer 376 coupled to top layer 374, and an inlet tube 378coupled to bottom layer 376. Inlet tube 378 is coupled to a pump (notshown) that provides pressurized air to inflate the area between top andbottom layers 374, 376. An exhaust port (not shown) is coupled tocrowning bladder 342 to release the pressurized air to return mattress13 to the flat position.

[0225] Massage motors 344 are positioned in mattress 13 to permit acaregiver to give a patient vibration therapy for comfort and to preventpulmonary complications. Each massage motor is a D.C. “slot” motor thatis substantially thin. A cable 380 is coupled to each massage motor 344and coupled to control unit 692 that regulates the timing and intensityof the vibrations. Each massage motor 344 may be operated independentlyor simultaneously.

[0226] Middle foam layer 346 is made of a viscoelastic foam that isstiffer than upper soft foam layer 338. Similar to upper foam layer 338,middle foam layer 346 includes a head and back portion or section 345and a separate seat portion or section 351. As shown in FIG. 42, eachsection of middle foam layer 346 includes a pair of tapered side walls382, 384 configured to mate with base portion 354 of perimeter frame334. A pair of apertures 386, 388 are formed in middle foam layer 346 toreceive inlet tubes 364, 378.

[0227] Lower foam layer 348 is made of a stiffer material than middlefoam layer 346. In alternative embodiments, lower foam layer 348 isformed integrally with and is comprised of foam having the same densityas either head section 350 or body section 352 of perimeter frame 334.Thus, bed 10 is provided with a mattress 13 having a stiffness gradientin which the stiffness increases with the depth of mattress 13. Similarto upper and middle foam layers 338, 346, lower foam layer 348 includesa head and back portion or section 349 and a separate seat portion orsection 363. As shown in FIG. 42, lower foam layer 348 includes a pairof tapered side walls 390, 392 configured to mate with base portion 354of perimeter frame 334. A pair of apertures 394, 396 are formed in lowerfoam layer 348 to receive inlet tubes 364, 378. Cables 372, 380 arepositioned between right base portion 354 and respective side walls 384,392 of middle and lower foam layers 346, 348. Mattress 13 includes footportion or section 426 that extends and retracts with the movement offoot section 28. As shown in FIGS. 41, 46, and 47, foot section 426 isformed to include a plurality of transverse slots 428. As foot section28 of deck 14 extends, each of the transverse slots 428 widens tocompensate for the extension. As foot section 28 retracts, slots 428narrow. As shown in FIG. 46, foot section 426 includes a pair of angledside surfaces or walls 430, 432 configured to conform to the angled sidewalls of foot section 28 of deck 14.

[0228] As shown in FIG. 42, ticking 347 is provided to protect the othercomponents of mattress 13 from contamination. Ticking 347 includes anupper portion 398 and a lower portion 410 configured to conform to deck14 that is coupled to upper portion 398 by a zipper. Lower portion 410of ticking 347 is provided with magnets that “stick” to deck 14 toprevent mattress 13 from sliding. Ticking 347 includes a fire-resistantacrylic knit having fiberglass yarn that provides a fire barrier.Ticking 347 also provides a vapor barrier to prevent contamination ofthe other mattress components. According to alternative embodiments, theupper and lower portions are sewn together or configured from a sleeve.According to another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, afire barrier layer separate from the ticking is provided.

[0229] An alternative embodiment mattress 436 is shown in FIG. 48.Mattress 436 includes a foam core 438 and sealed upper and lower ticking439, 441. Core 438 is positioned between upper and lower ticking 439,441 and includes head, back, and seat portions or sections 440, 442, 444made of a medium stiffness foam and a foot portion or section 446 madeof a viscoelastic foam that is expandable and retractable for use withfoot section 28 of deck 14. Head, back, seat, and foot sections 440,442, 444 each include angled side walls configured to conform to theangled walls of deck 14. Thus, mattress 436 includes portions orsections 440, 442, 444, 446 that are each one-piece blocks of foam whichminimizes the cost of mattress 436 yet still permits mattress 436 toarticulate with deck 14 of bed 10 and still permits deck 14 to extendand retract in length.

[0230] Foot section 446 is formed to include top and bottom transverseslots 449 similar to slots 428 of mattress 13 to permit foot section 446to expand and retract. Foot section 446 is configured to prevent apatient's foot from migration over the edge of mattress 436. Footsection 446 includes a raised perimeter 448 that provides a boundary orfence to block a patient's foot from reaching the outer edge of mattress436. Foot section 446 is also configured to reduce the level ofinterface pressure between the patient's foot and mattress 436. Footsection 446 includes a raised calf portion 450 positioned to rest undera patient's calf. Calf portion 450 supports a portion of the patient'sweight that would otherwise be support by the patient's heel and thusreduces the overall interface pressure between the patient's heel andmattress 436. According to the preferred embodiment, calf portion 450 ismade of a stiffer foam than the remainder of foot section 446. Slots 449formed in foot section 446 create corrugations therein. The corrugationassociated with calf portion 450 has a consistent height across footsection 446 whereas each of the other corrugations have recessed centralportions located between the associated raised perimeters 448.

[0231] Another alternative embodiment mattress 452 is provided in FIG.49. Mattress 452 includes upper and lower sealed ticking 454, 456, afoam core 458, a pair of heating pads 460, a pair of crowning bladders464, and a pair of vibration mechanisms 468. Core 458 is positionedbetween upper and lower ticking 454, 456 and includes a perimeter frame470, a foot portion or section 472, a lower foam layer 474 positionedwithin perimeter frame 470, a middle foam layer 476 positioned abovelower foam layer 474, and an upper foam layer 478 positioned directlybelow upper ticking 454. Upper foam layer 478 is made of a low ILD foammaterial that includes wax impregnation cooling. Middle foam layer 476is made of viscoelastic foam.

[0232] Perimeter frame 470 includes a head portion or section 480, aback portion or section 482, and a seat portion or section 484. Headsection 480 is made of a high ILD foam and back section 482 is made of amedium ILD foam. Head, back, and seat sections 480, 482, 484 and footsection 472 include angled side walls configured to conform to theangled walls of deck 14. Lower foam layer 474 optionally may be eitherformed integrally with head section 480 out of high ILD foam or formedintegrally with back and seat sections out of medium ILD foam.

[0233] Foot section 472 is formed to include top and bottom transverseslots 486 similar to slots 428 of mattress 13 to permit foot section 472to expand and retract. Foot section 472 is configured to prevent apatient's foot from migrating over the edge of mattress 452. Footsection 472 includes a raised perimeter 488 that provides a boundary orfence to block a patient's foot from reaching the outer edge of mattress452. Foot section 472 is also configured to reduce the level ofinterface pressure between the patient's foot and mattress 452. Footsection 472 includes a raised calf portion 490 positioned to rest undera patient's calf. According to a preferred embodiment, calf portion 490supports a portion of the patient's weight that would otherwise besupport by the patient's heel and thus reduces the overall interfacepressure between the patient's heel and mattress 452. Calf portion 490is made of a stiffer foam than the remainder of foot section 472.

[0234] Another alternative embodiment mattress 492 is provided in FIG.50.

[0235] Mattress 492 is substantially similar to mattress 452 of FIG. 49.Mattress 492 includes an air bladder 494 comprising a plurality oftransverse cylinders 496 coupled side-by-side. Illustrative transversecylinders 496 are in fluid communication with one another such that airbladder 494 is a single bladder zone that is inflated as a unit.However, it is within the scope of the disclosure as presently perceivedfor multiple air bladder zones to be provided in mattress 492 in lieu ofair bladder 494 and for the level of inflation in each of these separatezones to be controlled individually.

[0236] The air pressure in air bladder 494 is controlled by an airsystem 497 shown in FIG. 51. Air system 497 includes a pump 498(preferably a Thomas Model 6025SE air pump), a check valve 510 coupledto pump 498 by a first conduit 512, a dump valve 514 coupled to checkvalve 510 by a second conduit 516 and to air bladder 494 by a thirdconduit 518, a valve switch 520 coupled to third conduit 518 by a fourthconduit 522, a pump switch 524 coupled to fourth conduit 522, apneumatic resistor 526 positioned within fourth conduit 522, and apneumatic capacitor 528 also positioned in fourth conduit 520. Airsystem 497 also includes an electric plug 530 including a common wire532 coupled to pump 498 and dump valve 514 and a hot wire 534 coupled tovalve and pump switches 520, 524. Air system 497 further includes afirst wire 536 coupled to dump valve 514 and valve switch 520 and asecond wire 538 coupled to pump 498 and pump switch 524.

[0237] Hot wire 534 is coupled to valve switch 520 so that valve switch520 is normally in the closed position completing the electrical circuitto run pump 498.

[0238] When valve switch 520 senses a pressure greater than 10 inches ofwater, it switches to the open position opening the electrical circuitto turn pump 498 off. Hot wire 534 is coupled to pump switch 524 so thatvalve switch 520 is normally in the opened position so that dump valve514 is normally closed. When pump switch 524 senses a pressure greaterthan 12 inches of water, it switches to the closed position completingthe electrical circuit to open valve 514. Each switch 520, 524 includesan adjustment screw 523 to adjust the switching pressure at which pump498 and dump value 514 are activated and deactivated.

[0239] Air system 497 provides air bladder 494 with a range of airpressures between the predetermined high and low limits (preferablybetween 0.3-0.4 psi). If the pressure of air bladder 494 is betweenpredetermined high and low levels, pump 494 does not run and dump valve514 is not open to bleed air. Valve and pump switches 520, 524 cooperateto regulate the air pressure level in air bladder 494 by monitoring theair pressure in air bladder 494, turning pump 498 on when the airpressure in air bladder 494 is below the predetermined lower limit, andopening dump valve 514 when the air pressure in air bladder 494 is abovethe predetermined high limit.

[0240] To inflate air bladder 494, plug 530 is inserted into an outlet(not shown) or air system 497 is otherwise turned on. Valve and pumpswitches 520, 524 measure the pressure level in air bladder 494 throughthird and fourth conduits 518, 522. If the pressure is below the lowerlimit, pump switch 524 moves to a position closing a circuit between hotwire 534 and second wire 538 to provide pump 498 with electricity to runpump 498. Pump 498 responds by pumping pressurized air through firstconduit 512, dump valve 514, second conduit 516, check valve 510, andthird conduit 518 to air bladder 494. Check valve 510 permits air toflow from pump 498 through first conduit 512, but prevents air fromflowing to pump 498 through first conduit 512.

[0241] The gradual introduction of air into air bladder 494 increasesthe pressure therein. As the pressure in air bladder 494 surpasses thepredetermined lower limit, pump switch 524 moves from the normallyclosed position to the open position so that the electrical circuit topump 498 is broken and pump 498 stops. If the pressure level in airbladder 494 dips below the predetermined lower limit, pump switch 524moves back to the normally closed position so that the electricalcircuit to pump 498 is complete and pump 498 again pumps air into airbladder 494.

[0242] As a patient enters the hospital bed including mattress 492, theoverall pressure in air bladder 494 increases. If this pressure risesabove the predetermined high limit, valve switch 520 moves from thenormally open position, with dump valve 514 deactivated and in theclosed position, to the closed position. This completes the electricalcircuit to dump valve 514 to activate and open dump valve 514. When dumpvalve 514 is open, air flows from air bladder 494 to third conduit 518and out of dump valve 514. As air is bled out of air bladder 494, theair pressure in air bladder 494 gradually decreases until the airpressure is below the predetermined high limit as which point dump valve514 closes. Thus, air is introduced and removed from air bladder 494through a single port (third conduit 518) and fewer couplers arerequired to connect air system 397 to air bladder 494.

[0243] Pneumatic resistor 526 and pneumatic capacitor 528 cooperate todefine a simple and inexpensive pneumatic damper that prevents momentaryspikes in the air bladder pressure from reaching pump and valve switches524, 520. By damping the air pressure “seen” by pump and valve switches524, 520, they do not switch on and off for minor momentary changes inair bladder air pressure so that excessive switching of pump 498 anddump valve 514 does not occur. Such momentary changes in the airpressure in the air pressure of air bladder 494 may occur when a patientshifts in the hospital bed or when pump 498 and dump valve 514 areactivated and deactivated.

[0244] Pneumatic resistor 526 is a restriction having an inside diameterless than the inside diameter of third and fourth conduits 518, 522.Pneumatic capacitor 528 is a tube having an inside diameter that isgreater than the inside diameter of third and fourth conduits 518, 522.The tube is packed with foam. According to the presently preferredembodiment, the inside diameter of pneumatic resistor 526 is 0.125inches and the inside diameter of pneumatic capacitor 528 is 0.5 inches.Thus, air system 497 is a simple, inexpensive air system that maintainsthe level of inflation in air bladder 494 within a predetermined rangeof pressures, without the need for expensive electrical circuitcomponents such as microprocessors or micro-controllers. According to analternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the air systemincludes microprocessors and/or micro-controllers.

[0245] An alternative embodiment footboard 540 is shown in FIG. 52.Footboard 540 includes a base 542, a pair of side portions 544, 546rigidly coupled to base 542, and a pair of flaps 548, 550 pivotablycoupled to base 542. As shown in FIG. 52, flaps 548, 550 extend beyondside portions 544, 546 toward siderails 282. This extension reduces thegap between siderails 282 and footboard 540 so that a patient isprevented from exiting the hospital bed through said gap. As shown inphantom in FIG. 52, flaps 548, 550 may be moved to a storage positionpositioned adjacent to base 542. Each flap 548, 550 is configured sothat they will not fold out past siderails 282 to prevent a patientsupported by the hospital bed from pushing flaps 548, 550 outwardly inan effort to exit the bed.

[0246] According to an alternative embodiment footboard, a base and apair of flaps are provided. The base is coupled to the intermediateframe and extends along the lower end of the mattress and each flap ispivotably coupled to the base to swing outwardly to a storage positionadjacent an outer surface of the base. To move the flap to a useposition, the siderails are lowered and the flap are swung to a positionadjacent to the respective sides of the mattress. The siderails are thenraised to trap the respective flaps between the respective sides of themattress and the respective siderails. This trapping prevents a patientpositioned in the bed from swinging the flaps to the storage position inan effort to exit the bed. Thus, no gap exits between the siderails andthe base through which a patient may exit the bed.

[0247] Footboard 540 is removable from the hospital bed and forms atable when positioned over siderails 282 slanted to the inner positionas shown in FIG. 53.

[0248] While positioned over siderails 282, base 542 is substantiallyhorizontal providing a surface for placing various items such as foodtrays, beverage containers, books, or other items. Base 542 is formed toinclude recesses for holding cups or other objects or to define a lip toprevent objects from rolling off of base 542. Side portions 544, 546restrain transverse movement of footboard 540. Flaps 548, 550 may remainpositioned to extend down below side portions 544, 546 or may be tuckedin the storage position while footboard 540 is being used as a table.

[0249] An alternative removable headboard 552 is shown in FIG. 54.

[0250] Headboard 552 includes a tubular frame 554 removably coupled tothe deck and a fabric screen 556 slidably coupled to tubular frame 554.As shown in FIG. 55, fabric screen 556 is sewn together near theperimeter to form a sleeve 558 in which portions of tubular frame 554are positioned. To clean or replace screen 556 with another fabricpattern that “matches” the decor of the hospital room (such as thecurtain fabric, furniture upholstery, comforter, sheets, or other itemsin the hospital room), tubular frame 554 is pulled upwardly and removedfrom the deck. Screen 556 is slid along tubular frame 554 untilcompletely removed therefrom. Screen 556 is then laundered. To putscreen 556 back on tubular frame 554, an end of tubular frame 556 is fedinto each sleeve 558 and screen 556 is slid around tubular frame 556until it surrounds tubular frame 556 as shown in FIG. 54. The respectiveends of tubular frame 556 are then inserted back into the deck toreinstall headboard 552 to the hospital bed. According to an alternativeembodiment of the present disclosure, a footboard is provided having aremovable fabric screen.

[0251] Yet another alternative removable footboard 560 is shown in FIG.56. Footboard 560 is removable from the deck and includes a base 562, apair of side portions 564, 566, and a pair of side flaps 568, 570pivotably coupled to respective side portions 564, 566. Side flaps 568,570 are movable between a use position as shown in FIG. 56 and functionas extensions of side portions 564, 566 that engage a pair of siderails282 coupled to the deck and a storage position tucked within an outersurface of side portions 564, 566 as shown in FIG. 57. Locks (not shown)are provided to secure side flaps 568, 570 in the use position.According to an alternative embodiment footboard 574, as shown in FIG.58, side flaps 576, 578 tuck within an inner surface of side portions580, 582. Stops (not shown) are provided to secure side flaps 576, 578in the use position. Side flaps 568, 570, 576, 578 each include a notchpositioned to secure the respective bases 562 to vertically-extendingsiderails 282.

[0252] Yet another alternative embodiment removable footboard 584 isshown in FIGS. 59 and 60. Footboard 584 is a molded part and includes abase portion 586 formed to include a recess to retain object thereon anda pair of angled side portions 588, 590 positioned over a pair ofsiderails 592 that are inclined inwardly.

[0253] As shown in FIG. 61, another hospital bed 810 is providedincluding a frame 812, a deck 814 coupled to frame 812, a mattress 813positioned on deck 814, a headboard 816 coupled to frame 812, afootboard 818 coupled to deck 814, a pair of head end siderails 820coupled to deck 814, and a pair of foot end siderails 822 coupled toframe 812. Frame 812 is configured to raise and lower deck 814 relativeto the floor and to move deck 814 to the Trendelenburg position and theReverse Trendelenburg position.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 62, bed 810 further includes a CPR crash board830 and a pocket 832 sized to removably receive a board 830 as shown inFIG. 64. When necessary a caregiver can remove board 830 from pocket 832and position board 830 under a patient's torso to assist the caregiverin administering CPR to the patient.

[0255] Bed 810 includes a CPR board retention member or strap 834coupled to headboard 816 that defines pocket 832. Strap 834 ispreferably made of steel or any other rigid material and includes firstand second side walls 836, 838 spaced apart by a distance 840 slightlylarger than a width 842 of board 830. Strap 834 also includes a thirdside wall 844 extending between first and second side walls 836, 838 andspaced apart from headboard 816 by a distance 846 slightly larger that athickness 848 of board 830 so that board 830 can be removed from pocket832 when necessary. As shown in FIG. 62, board 830 includes a handleopening 850 to facilitate such removal.

[0256] As shown in FIG. 63, headboard 816 includes a base member 852 anda pair of handles 854 coupled thereto to facilitate pushing hospital bed810 about a care facility. Headboard 816 further includes a plurality ofcontrol buttons 856 positioned above an upper edge of board 810. Controlbuttons 856 are provided to control a propulsion device 858 shown inFIGS. 85-87 and described in greater detail below.

[0257] As shown in FIG. 65, frame 812 includes a rectangular lower framemember or base frame 860, a pair of head end wheels or casters 862, apair of foot end wheels or casters 863 coupled to base frame 860 topermit hospital bed 810 to be rolled about a care facility, arectangular intermediate frame 864, a linkage system 866 coupled tointermediate and base frames 864, 860 to permit relative motiontherebetween, and an actuator system (not shown) providing power toactuate linkage system 866 and move upper member 864 relative to baseframe 860. Linkage system 866 and the actuator system are substantiallysimilar to linkage system 654 and actuator system 656 shown in FIG. 8and discussed above.

[0258] Hospital bed 810 further includes a caster braking system 868including a caster-brake link 870 extending through hollow base frame860 as shown in FIGS. 66 and 67. The caster braking system 868interconnects each caster 862, 863 to provide simultaneous braking ofcasters 862, 863. To simultaneously brake casters 862, 863, thecaregiver steps on one of foot brake pedals 872, 874 and the casterbraking system locks casters 862, 863 against rolling.

[0259] As shown in FIG. 66, foot brake pedal 872 is longitudinallyspaced apart from caster 862 by a distance 876. Foot brake pedal 872 iscoupled to base frame 860 by a rod 878 and pivotably coupled tocaster-brake link 870 by an arm 880. According to the preferredembodiment, rod 878 is round. According to alternative embodiments, therod is hexagonal.

[0260] During rotation of foot brake pedal 872 about axis 882 indirection 884, arm 880 transmits force to caster-brake link 870.Caster-brake link 870 moves in direction 871 to transmit this force toan arm 886 pivotably coupled to caster-brake link 870 and rigidlycoupled to a hexagonal rod 888 of caster braking system 868. Thisrotation causes hexagonal rod 888 to rotate about an axis 890 indirection 886 causing caster 862 to lock.

[0261] According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,caster-brake link 870 is positioned below rod 878 so thatcounterclockwise rotation of rod 878 by foot brake pedal 872 indirection 884 causes movement of caster-brake link 870 in direction 871.Similarly, rotation of rod 878 in clockwise direction 869 causescaster-brake link 870 to move in direction 867 and hexagonal rod 888 torotate in clockwise direction 865 to unlock caster 868. According to analternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the caster-brake linkis positioned above the rod so that rotation of the rod in direction 882causes the caster-brake link to move in direction 867 and movement ofthe rod in direction 869 causes the caster-brake link to move indirection 871.

[0262] Additional description of a caster braking system similar to thecaster braking system of the present disclosure is provided in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/263,039, filed Mar. 5, 1999, to Mobley etal., entitled Caster and Braking System, which is expressly incorporatedby reference herein. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure other configurations of caster braking and/or steeringsystems with or without simultaneous locking functions are provided foruse with the foot brake pedal and caster-brake link of the presentdisclosure.

[0263] Caster-brake link 870 also transmits the rotation of foot brakepedal 872 to the other hexagonal rods 888, 892 associated with the othercasters 862, 863 to simultaneously brake all four casters 862, 863. Asshown in FIG. 67, link 870 includes a portion 895 that continues toextend through frame member 860 and coupled to hexagonal rod 892 in amanners similar to the coupling to hexagonal rod 888 shown in FIG. 67.Therefore, when hexagonal rods 888 of caster 862 rotate about axis ofrotation 890, hexagonal rod 892 rotates about axis 894. To unlockcasters 862, 863, foot brake pedal 872 is rotated in a directionopposite direction 884 to rotate hexagonal rod 888 in a directionopposite direction 890 to unlock caster 862. Caster-brake link 870 alsotransmits the rotation to the other hexagonal rods 888, 892 tosimultaneously release all casters 862, 863.

[0264] A transversely extending rod (not shown) transmits the rotationof hexagonal rod 892 of one of foot end casters 863 to the otherhexagonal rod 892 or the other foot-end caster 863. Another caster-brakelink (not shown) that is identical to caster-brake link 870 extendsthrough the opposite side of base frame 860 and couples hexagonal rods888, 892 and rod 878 together so that rotation of the other head endpedal 872 is transferred to all four casters 862, 863 to providesimultaneous locking and unlocking of casters 862, 863.

[0265] Similarly, the caster-brake links 870 also transmit the rotationof foot brake pedals 874 to all four caster 862, 863. Foot brake pedals874 are directly coupled to hexagonal rods 892 as shown in FIG. 61 andcoupled to the caster-brake links 870 by an arm (not shown) similar toarm 886. Thus, if brake pedals 874 are rotated to lock or unlock eithercaster 863, the other casters 862, 863 are also locked or unlocked.

[0266] Brake pedal 872 is positioned so that a caregiver standingadjacent to headboard 816 can operate the caster braking system. Asshown in FIG. 65, brake pedal 872 includes a foot pad 875 positionedadjacent to a head end of base frame 860. A caregiver positioned nearheadboard 816 can step on pad 875 to lock casters 862, 863 withouthaving to move to the side of bed 810 to access brake pedal 872.

[0267] As shown in FIG. 66, because brake pedal 872 is longitudinallyspaced apart from caster 862, axis of rotation 890 of hexagonal rod 888is longitudinally positioned between axis of rotation 882 of rod 878 andaxis of rotation 894 of hexagonal rod 892. Thus, the portion ofcaster-brake link 870 positioned between arms 880, 886 is an extension896 that permits pedal 872 to be longitudinally spaced apart from caster862. According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,the foot end brake pedals are also spaced apart from the foot endcasters in a manner similar to head end brake pedals.

[0268] As shown in FIG. 61, footboard 818 includes a body member 898including a pair of curved end portions 900 and a substantially flatcenter portion 901 positioned between curved end portions 900. Endportions 900 have handle portions 902 that facilitate pushing hospitalbed 10 about a care facility. Bed 810 further includes a pair of gapfillers 904 pivotably coupled to curved end portions 900 of body member898 by hinges 906.

[0269] Gap fillers 904 are provided to block movement of a patient intogaps 908 defined between foot end siderails 822 and footboard 818 sothat a patient is prevented from exiting the hospital bed through gaps902. As shown in FIG. 70, gap filler 904 can be pivoted in direction 914to move each gap filler 904 from a use position to a storage position.To move gap filler 904 from the storage position to the use position,foot end siderail 822 must be lowered to the down storage position sothat gap filler 904 is free to move in direction 905 to a positionadjacent to mattress 813. Then, foot end siderail 822 is raised to trapgap filler 904 between mattress 813 and foot end siderail 822 as shownin FIG. 61.

[0270] Each gap filler 904 includes a body member 928 having a handleportion 930 defining openings 932, as shown in FIG. 61, that align withopenings 931 defined by handle portions 902 of footboard 818 when gapfillers 904 are in the storage position. Each body member 928 includes acurved portion 903 and a substantially flat portion 905 coupled tocurved portions 903 that complement curved end portions 900 and flatportion 901 of footboard 818 when in the storage position. To move gapfillers 904 to the storage position, the respective siderail 822 islowered to permit the respective gap filler 904 to swing out indirection 914 to the storage position. When in the storage position, afirst surface 907 of body member 928 is positioned adjacent to an outersurface 909 of footboard 818.

[0271] As shown in FIG. 69, footboard 818 further includes a firstcoupler 910 preferably made of hook-and-loop material and each gapfiller 904 includes a second coupler 912 also preferably made ofhook-and-loop material that is aligned with first coupler 910 to retaingap filler 904 in the storage position adjacent to outer surface 909 offootboard 818. When gap filler 904 is in the storage position, secondcoupler 912 couples to first coupler 910 to secure gap filler 904 in thestorage position with first surface 906 of gap filler 904 adjacent toouter surface 908 of footboard 818. According to alternative embodimentsof the present disclosure, other couplers are provided to coupled thegap fillers to the footboard when in the storage position. For example,according to alternative embodiments, snaps, ties, tabs, retainers,magnets, fasteners, and other couplers known to those of ordinary skillin the art are provided.

[0272] To move gap fillers 904 back to the use position, foot endsiderails 822 are moved to the down storage position and second couplers912 of gap fillers 904 are uncoupled from first couplers 910 offootboard 818. Gap fillers 904 are swung in direction 905 about hinges906 so that distal ends 916 of gap fillers 904 are positioned adjacentto mattress 813 as shown in FIG. 70. Next, foot end siderails 822 areraised to trap each gap filler 904 between mattress 813 and therespective foot end siderail 822 as shown in FIGS. 61 and 70.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 68, a hinge 906 is pivotably coupled tofootboard 818 by a pin 918 so that hinges 906 rotate about a firstvertical axis 920. Hinges 906 includes a pair of flanges 922, 924through which pin 918 extends and a curved body portion 926 extendingbetween flanges 922, 924. Footboard 818 includes a pair of slots 923,925 that provide clearance for flanges 922, 924 to travel duringrotation about first vertical axis 920.

[0274] Each gap filler 904 further includes a hinge plate 934 pivotablycoupling each gap filler 904 to respective hinges 906 so that gapfillers 904 can rotate about a second vertical axis 936. Hinge plate 934is coupled to body member 928 by fasteners 938. Thus, gap fillers 904rotate about two spaced-apart vertical axises 920, 936 so that therespective gap fillers 904 can rest snugly against outer surface 908 offootboard 818 when in the storage position.

[0275] As shown in FIG. 71, each foot end siderail 822 includes a railmember 938 coupled to deck 814 by a plurality of linkages 940. Railmember 938 includes an opening 942 positioned below a hand rail portion944 of rail member 938. Rail member 938 includes an upper edge 946including two convex end portions 948, 950 and a concave portion 952positioned between convex end portions 948, 950. Suitable linkages forcoupling the foot end and head end siderails to the deck andintermediate frame are discussed herein and in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/005,637, titled Bed Side Rails, filed Jan. 12, 1998, toWeismiller et al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated byreference herein.

[0276] Each head end siderail 820 includes a rail member 954 coupled todeck 814 by a plurality of linkages 956. Rail member 954 includes anopening 957 positioned below a hand rail portion 958 of rail member 954.Rail member 954 includes an upper edge 960 and a concave side edge 962spaced apart from end portion 948 of foot end siderail 822 to define agap 963 between foot and head end siderails 822, 820.

[0277] As shown in FIG. 71, end portion 948 of upper edge 946 and sideedge 962 each have substantially uniform radii of curvature 965, 967centered upon an axis of rotation 964 of a head portion or section 824of deck 814. Because of this configuration, gap 963 remainssubstantially constant as head section 824 rotates in a clockwisedirection 968 about axis of rotation 964 until it reaches the positionshown in FIG. 73.

[0278] Concave portion 952 permits head section 824 to rotate furtherabout axis of rotation 964 than if upper edge 946 were substantiallyflat. Concave portion 952 provides clearance for head end siderail 820to travel as it approaches the position shown in FIG. 73. Thus, byproviding concave portion 952, head section 824 and head end siderail820 are permitted to rotate further about axis of rotation 964 beforegap 963 would otherwise begin to close. According to the presentlypreferred embodiment of the present disclosure, head end siderail 820does not rotate any further in clockwise direction 968 than shown inFIG. 73.

[0279] Concave portion 952 compliments a convex corner 953 defined bythe junction of upper edge 960 and a side edge 962 of rail member 954.When head end siderail 820 is positioned in its upper-most position, asshown in FIG. 73, corner 953 is substantially uniformly spaced apartfrom concave portion 952. Thus concave portion 952 and corner 953 definecomplementary formations assisting in the maintenance of a substantiallyuniform gap therebetween.

[0280] Concave portion 952 includes a pair of inclined portions 961, 963portions and a curved portion 965 positioned between inclined portions961, 963. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the concave portion is notched, more shallow, deeper, or anyother concave shape known to those of ordinary skill in the art.According to another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,the concave portion is positioned on the head end siderails to receivehead end portions of the foot end siderails when in the raised position.

[0281] Bed 810 further includes a control system configured to controlvarious functions thereof. As shown in FIG. 74, the control systemincludes a controller 970 that is removably received by rail member 938of foot end siderail 822 so that it can be removed from foot endsiderail 822 and perform as a wireless remote control for controllingvarious functions of bed 810. For example, controller 970 is configuredto control the raising and lowering of deck 814 and to control movementof head and seat sections 824, 826 of deck 814. Controller 970 is alsoconfigured to receive information from a caregiver related to a patientand to send and receive patient or bed-related data to a centralcomputer for storage, tracking, and analysis.

[0282] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,the controller is configured to control other features of the bed suchas features of the mattress. Additional description of suitableelectronics and other features of a controller is provided in U.S. Pat.No. 6,008,598, titled Hand-Held Controller For Bed and MattressAssembly, filed Apr. 22, 1998, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/202,284, titled Remote Control for a Hospital Bed, filed May 5,2000, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

[0283] As shown in FIG. 74, controller 970 includes a housing 972, aspeaker and microphone 974, and a pair of ball detents 976 coupled toside walls 978 of housing 972. Each rail member 938 of foot endsiderails 822 includes a pocket 980 and a pair of recesses 982configured to receive ball detents 976 as shown in FIGS. 74 and 75.

[0284] Ball detents 976 are spring biased outwardly to fit in recesses982. To remove controller 970 from rail member 938, a user pulls oncontroller 970 and surfaces 983 defining recesses 982 force ball detents976 inwardly in directions 977, 979 against the bias of the springs (notshown) to permit withdrawal of controller 970 from pocket 980. To couplecontroller 970 to either foot end siderail 822, ball detents 976 arealigned with recesses 982 and pushed into pocket 980 so that surfaces981, 983 defining pocket 980 force ball detents 976 inwardly indirections 977, 979 against the bias of the springs until ball detents976 are pushed into recesses 982 by the springs.

[0285] Ball detents 976 also pivotably couple housing 972 to each railmember 938. This coupling permits a user to read a touch control screen984 of controller 970 and speak into microphone 974 better by titling alower edge 993 of housing 972 upward. Control screen 984 is a touchscreen configured to display information and receive touch commands froma user. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of couplers between the housing and the rail memberare provided. For example, hooks, hook-and-loop type fasteners, snaps, adetachable hinge, or other devices known to those of ordinary skill inthe art are provided to removably and/or pivotably couple the controllerto the siderail. Additional description of a suitable touch controlscreen is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,548, entitled Chair Bed, toWeismiller et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/187,825,entitled Controller For an Operating Room Table and Surface, to Borders,the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0286] Housing 972 has a width 985 that is less than a width 987 ofpocket 980 so that when controller 970 is positioned in pocket 980,controller 970 and surfaces 981, 983 cooperate to define hand holes 989,991 as shown in FIG. 73. To tilt or remove controller 970, a caregiverinserts either of their hands or fingers into one of hand holes 989, 991to grasp controller 970. Having grasped controller 970, the caregivercan then tilt controller 970 upward or pull on controller 970 to depressball detents 976 and remove controller 970 from pocket 980. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless remotecontroller is configured to couple to other barriers on the bed such asthe head end siderails, headboard, or footboard.

[0287] As shown in FIGS. 76-78, the control system further includes acorded controller 986 configured to removably and slidably couple tohead and foot end siderails 820, 822. Controller 986 includes a housing988, a plurality of control buttons 990 for controlling variousfunctions of bed 810, and a speaker 992 and microphone (not shown) forfacilitating communication between a person positioned on bed 810 and acaregiver.

[0288] Controller 986 is configured to slide in either opening 957 ofrail member 954 of head end siderail 820 or opening 942 of rail member938 of foot end siderail 822. As shown in FIG. 76, controller 986 isconfigured to slide on rail member 954 between an infinite number ofpositions including a first position (shown in solid) and a secondposition (shown in phantom). Similarly, controller 986 is configured toslide on rail member 938 between an infinite number of positionsincluding a first position (shown in solid in FIG. 78) and a secondposition (shown in phantom).

[0289] Because patients vary in size, one patient may find it moreconvenient to position controller 986 in one of the many availablepositions on either head or foot end siderails 820, 822 than anotherpatient. Thus, various patients can position controller 986 in any ofthe infinite number of positions on any of head or foot end siderails820, 822. Furthermore, a patient may decided to adjust the position ofcontroller 986 if the configuration of deck 814 is changed. For example,if head section 824 of deck 814 is raised, a patient may desire toreposition controller 986.

[0290] As shown in FIG. 77, housing 988 of controller 986 includes apair of spaced-apart concave surfaces 994, 996 that complement convexsurfaces 998, 1010 of rail member 954 of head end siderail 820. Foot endsiderail 822 also includes convex surfaces 1012, 1014 that arecomplemented by concave surfaces 994, 996. Thus, as shown in FIG. 77, asubstantial portion of controller 986 is positioned within rail member954 so that controller 986 maintains a relatively low profile comparedto an inner surface 1017 of rail member 954 when positioned in railmember 954 to avoid interference with other components of bed 810 orother pieces of medical equipment. According to alternative embodimentsof the present disclosure, the controller is positioned further in theopening formed in the rail member so that little or none of thecontroller extends beyond an inner surface of the rail member.

[0291] Controller 986 further includes four spaced-apart tabs orretainers 1016 configured to retain controller 986 in either opening954, 957 (only two of the four tabs 1016 are visible in FIG. 77). Eachtab 1016 is positioned near one of four corners 1015 of a back surface1018 of housing 988 and has a distal end 1020 that contacts one of theconvex surfaces 998, 1010, 1012, 1014.

[0292] Each tab 1016 is flexible so that when a patient pulls oncontroller 986 in direction 1022, tabs 1016 flex inwardly to permitdistal ends 1020 to ride over the inner most portions of convex surfaces998, 1010, 1012, 1014 so that tabs 1016 no longer retain controller 986in the respective siderail 820, 822. To reposition controller 986 backin siderails 820, 822, the patient pushes controller in direction 1024so that tabs 1016 ride back over the inner most portions of convexsurfaces 998, 1010, 1012, 1014 so that tabs 1016 retain controller 986in head and foot end siderails.

[0293] According to the presently preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, tabs 1016 are made of a flexible material such as rubber orplastic materials. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the tabs or retainers are pivotably coupled to the housingto provide movement of the distal ends of the tabs. According to anotheralternative embodiment of the present disclosure, ball detents areprovided, such as those shown in FIG. 75, to removably retain thecontroller in the head and foot end siderails. According to otheralternative embodiments of the disclosure, other retainers known tothose of ordinary skill in the art are used to retain the controller inthe siderails.

[0294] The respective pairs of convex surfaces 998, 1010, 1012, 1014cooperate to define a rail or guide and concave surfaces 994, 996 andtabs 1016 cooperate to define a complementary formation configured toride along the guide. According to alternative embodiments of thepresent disclosure, other configurations of guides and complementaryformations are provided such as raised rails, channels, slots, or otherconfigurations of guides and complementary formations known to those ofordinary skill in the art.

[0295] As shown in FIG. 77, controller 986 further includes a cord 1032that communicates electric signals to and from controller 986. As shownin FIGS. 82 and 84, cord 1032 includes a connector 1034 that couples toeither of two connectors 1036, 1038 coupled to intermediate frame 864.According to the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, connector 1036is coupled to a first side 1037 of bed 810 as shown in FIG. 61 andconnector 1038 is coupled to an opposite second side 1039 of bed 810 asshown in FIGS. 82 and 84. A plurality of wires 1040 are coupled to eachconnector 1036, 1038 to communicate with the various electricallycontrolled devices of bed 810. Preferably, plurality of wires 1040 fromeach side 1037, 1039 meet at a junction (not shown) and then extend tothe various electrically controlled devices.

[0296] Because two connectors 1036, 1038 are provided on opposite sides1037, 1039 of bed 810, controller 986 can be plugged into either side1037, 1039 of bed 810. Thus, if a patient or caregiver finds it moreconvenient to position controller 986 on the pair of head and foot endsiderails 820, 822 on first side 1037 of bed 810, controller 986 can beplugged into connector 1036 without cord 1032 having to be strung overmattress 813. Similarly, if a patient or caregiver finds it moreconvenient to position controller 986 on the pair of head and foot endsiderails 820, 822 on second side 1039 of bed 810, controller 986 can beplugged into connector 1038 without cord 1032 having to be strung overmattress 813. Thus, a corded controller is provided that can beremovably coupled to either side of the bed without having to string thecord of the controller over the mattress of the bed.

[0297] As shown in FIG. 61, bed 810 further includes a plurality ofpedals 1044 substantially similar to pedals 752. Pedals 1044 areprovided to raise and lower deck 814 and to move deck 814, tilting anduntilting head section 824 relative to intermediate frame 864, movingintermediate frame 864 between the Trendelenburg and ReverseTrendelenburg positions, and tilting and un-tilting seat section 826relative to intermediate frame 864.

[0298] As previously mentioned, deck 814 includes several portions orsections 824, 828, 826, that can be tilted relative to intermediateframe 864. Head section 824 is positioned adjacent to headboard 816 andis pivotably coupled to upwardly extending flanges 873 of intermediateframe 864 as shown in FIG. 82. Seat section 826 is also pivotablycoupled to upwardly extending flanges 873 of intermediate frame 864.Foot section 826 is pivotably coupled to seat section 826 by a hinge1046 with footboard 818 to a foot end thereof as shown in FIGS. 79-81.Seat and foot sections 826, 828 have tapered ends portions 825, 827providing clearance therebetween during titling of foot section 828relative to seat section 826 as shown in FIG. 80. Thus, all sections822, 826, 828 are pivotable relative to intermediate frame 864.

[0299] Hospital bed 810 further includes a tilt mechanism 1048facilitating automatic tilting of seat and foot sections 826, 828relative to intermediate frame 864 and foot section 828 relative to seatsection 826. Tilt mechanism 1048 includes a tilt actuator 1050 coupledto intermediate frame 864 and seat section 826 and a link 1052 removablycoupled to foot section 828 and pivotably coupled to intermediate frame864. Intermediate frame 864 includes a pin 1054 received by a notch 1056in link 1052 so that link 1052 is movable between a locked position,shown in FIGS. 79 and 81, and an unlocked position, shown in FIG. 80.These two positions provide two modes of titling between seat section826 and foot section 828.

[0300] When in the locked position, link 1052 provides a rigid linkbetween intermediate frame 864 and foot section 828. As tilt actuator1050 is lengthened, seat section 826 pivots relative to intermediateframe 864 as shown in FIGS. 80 and 81. When link 1052 is in the lockedposition and tilt actuator 1050 is activated, foot section 828 movesupwardly relative to intermediate frame 864 as shown in FIG. 81 but,maintains a substantially horizontal orientation. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other orientationsare provided.

[0301] When link 1052 is uncoupled from pin 1054 and tilt actuator 122is activated, as shown in FIG. 80, foot section 828 rotates about aroller 1057 coupled to intermediate frame 864 so that a proximal end offoot section 828 is raised and a distal end of foot section 828 lowers.Thus, foot section 828 is movable relative to seat section 826 tomaintain a substantially horizontal or other position, as shown in FIG.81, when link 1052 is in the locked position and a tilted or otherposition, as shown in FIG. 81, relative to intermediate frame 864 whenlink 1052 is in the unlocked position.

[0302] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of linkage systems are provided to facilitate twomodes of tilting the foot or other section of the deck relative toanother section of the deck during movement of another section of thedeck relative to the upper or other frame member. Such linkage systemsinclude additional links, hinges, cables, brackets, flanges, or othermembers known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0303] Deck 814 is configured to support mattress 813. As shown in FIG.82, sections 824, 826, 828 include angled side surfaces or walls 1058similar to angled side walls 358 of deck 14. Head and seat sections 824,826 of deck 814 include horizontal flanges 1060, 1062 coupled torespective angled side walls 1058.

[0304] Head and seat sections 824, 826 of deck 14 have flexible floorsor bottoms that flex due to a patient's weight to provide additionalcompliance to bed 10 that would otherwise require additional foam inmattress 813. Each section 824, 826 includes a flexible panel 1064coupled to horizontal flanges 1060, 1062 by fasteners 1066 as shown inFIGS. 82 and 83. Each fastener 1066 extends through a slot 1067 similarto slot 424 shown in FIG. 44. As weight is placed on flexible panels1064, they bend downwardly and the outer edges of flexible panels 1064are pulled inwardly. This movement permits panels 1064 to deflectapproximately 2 inches. Flexible panels 1064 are made of compressionmolded glass mesh bonded by a hard thermoset resin. The preferredflexible panel is provided by Premix. According to alternativeembodiments, flexible panels made of other materials are provided.

[0305] Flexible panel 1064 is radiolucent to facilitate taking X-rays ofa patient lying in hospital bed 810. Furthermore, flexible panel 1064has a substantially smooth wipeable surface 1065 to facilitate wiping orcleaning of deck 814. Thus, a smooth, flexible, and radiolucent deck isprovided that permits X-raying a patient positioned in hospital bed 810and is also relatively easy to clean. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, the panel is rigid, rough, ornon-radiolucent.

[0306] As shown in FIGS. 82 and 83, deck 814 includes a spill guard 1180positioned between head and seat sections 824, 826. Spill guard 1180 isconfigured to capture bodily or other fluids that collect on head orseat sections 826, 824. During tilting of these sections 824, 826, thesefluids run down panels 1064 and collect on spill guard 1180 to preventcontamination of bed components positioned thereunder.

[0307] Spill guard 1180 is made of a rubber material and includes aU-shaped body 1182 and a pair of rod-receiving sleeves 1184 coupledthereto as shown in FIG. 83. A pair of rods 1186 extend through sleeves1186 and coupled to supports 1188 coupled to sidewalls 1058. A pair aties 1190 are also provided to couple sleeves 1184 to respective panels1064 as shown in FIG. 82.

[0308] Foot section 828 of deck 814 is extendable and retractable asshown in FIGS. 89 and 90 to move between first and second positionshaving first and second lengths 829, 831. A full description of footsection 828 is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/120,125,filed Jul. 22, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporatedby reference herein. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure other configurations of decks known to those of ordinaryskill in the art are provided.

[0309] As shown in FIG. 88, hospital bed 810 includes multi-componentmattress 813. Mattress 813 is similar to mattress 13 shown in FIGS.40-42 except that foot section or portion 1068 includes a heel-pressurerelief portion 1070. As shown in FIGS. 89-91, foot section 1068 includesan adjustable length or retractable foam portion 1072 having upwardlyand downwardly facing surfaces 1075, 1077 including a plurality oflongitudinally alternating transverse slots 1074 and a foam end portion1076 coupled to the foot end of expandable portion 1072. As foot section828 of deck 814 extends, each of the transverse slots 1074 widens tocompensate for the extension. As foot section 828 retracts, slots 1074narrow.

[0310] End portion 1076 is formed to include a cavity 1078 sized toreceive cylindrical heel-pressure relief portion 1070. Preferably,heel-pressure relief portion 1070 includes an air bladder 1059positioned in cavity 1078. An air supply 1080 including a valve 1082 iscoupled to bladder 1059. According the preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure, air supply 1080 is a compressor. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the air supply is ablower or other air supply known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0311] Heel-pressure relief portion 1070 is configured to relievepressure under the heel of patient positioned on mattress 813. Forexample, during use, a patient's heel is positioned over portion 1070 asshown in FIGS. 89 and 90. Pressure-control valve 1082 is then moved froma first position to a second position to activate lowering of thepressure in bladder 1059 so that the patient's heel lowers until thepatient's calves support more of the weight of the patient's lower legs.This transfer lowers the amount of pressure placed on the patient'sheels to lower the potential for bed sores developing on the patient'sheels. When heel-pressure relief is no longer required, valve 1082 ismoved back to the first position to increase the pressure in bladder1059 and raise the patient's heels to the normal position.

[0312] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of heel-pressure relief portions are provided. Forexample, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, asubstantially rectangular air bladder is provided. According to anotherembodiment, the cavity is left empty to provide a recess for theheel-pressure relief portions. According to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure, a foam member is provided in the cavity that has alower ILD than the adjustable length foam portion to provide relief forthe patient's heels.

[0313] As previously mentioned, foot section 828 of deck 814 is has anadjustable length so that it can be moved from a first position having afirst length 1071 (as shown in FIG. 89) to a second position having asecond length 1073 (as shown in FIG. 90). Preferably, the length of footsection 828 is adjusted depending upon the height of the patientpositioned on mattress 813 so that the patient's foot is positionedadjacent to footboard 818. For example, as shown in FIG. 89, footsection 828 is extended to position the heels of a tall patient adjacentto footboard 818. Foot section 828 is retracted to position the heels ofa shorter patient adjacent to footboard 818 as shown in FIG. 90. Thus,foot portion 1068 can be moved relative to the other portions ofmattress 813 to position portion 1070 under the patient's heels.

[0314] Because the patient's heel is positioned adjacent to footboard818, the patients heel is also positioned above heel-pressure reliefportion 1070 to provide heel-pressure relief, if necessary. Thus,according to the present disclosure, a heel-pressure relief portion isprovided that can be moved under the patient's heel to providedheel-pressure relief.

[0315] According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,the length of foot section 828 and foot portion 1068 of mattress 813corresponds to the position of head section 824 and the head portion ofmattress 813. For example, if head section 824 is raised to the titledposition as shown in FIG. 115, foot section 828 of deck 814automatically extends by a distance 1079. If head section 824 islowered, foot section 828 is automatically retracted to it'spre-extended position. By corresponding the extension and retraction offoot portion 1068 of mattress 813 with the movement of head section 824of deck 814, the patient's foot is maintained above heel-pressure reliefportion 1070. Furthermore, if footboard 818 is used as a foot prop, thepatient's foot is maintained at a steady distance relative to footboard818 during raising and lowering of head section 824.

[0316] According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,distance 1079 is approximately 4.0 inches (10.16 centimeters) for allpatients regardless of their height or weight. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, the foot section is extended bymore or less than this distance depending on specifics, such as heightor weight, of a particular patient.

[0317] A controller 1081 is provided that corresponds the movement ofthe foot section 828 with movement of head section 824. When a patientor caregiver activates controller 1081 to raise head section 824,controller 1081 simultaneously moves foot section 826 to the extendedposition shown in FIG. 115 and raises head section 828 to the positionshown in FIG. 115. When a patient or caregiver activates controller 1081to lower head section 824, controller 1081 simultaneously lowers headsection 824 and retracts foot section 828. According to alternativeembodiments, correspondence of the movement of the foot section followsor proceeds movement of the head section.

[0318] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,controller 1081 is electrical and controls extension of actuators(electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.) associated with the head and footsections. According to an alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the controller is mechanical and includes components such aslinks, cables, belts, or other components known to those of ordinaryskill in the art for coordinating movement of components relative to oneanother.

[0319] According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,controller 1081 includes a head section sensor 1083 configured to detectthe position of head section 824 and a foot section sensor 1089configured to detect the position of foot section 828. Controller 1081uses the position information provided by sensors 1083, 1089 todetermine when foot section 828 has moved far enough in response tomovement of head section 824.

[0320] When foot section 828 is initially adjusted to positionheel-pressure relief portion 1070 under the patient's heels, controller1081 stores the positions of foot section 828 and head section 824 asdetected by sensors 1083, 1089 as initial head and foot sectionsreference points. When head section 824 is raised or lowered, controller1081 determines the degree of movement of head section 824 from theinitial head section reference point and moves foot section 828 aproportional amount from the foot section reference point. When headsection 824 is raised or lowered again, controller again determines thedegree of movement from the initial head section reference point andmoves the foot section a proportional amount from the initial footsection reference point. According to the preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the sensors are potentiometers. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other sensors knownto those of ordinary skill in the art are provided.

[0321] Preferably, the degree of automatic extension of foot section 826is a function of the angle of head section 824. The further up headsection 824 is raised from the initial head section reference point, themore foot section 826 is extended from the initial reference point sothat heel-pressure relief portion is continuously positioned under thepatient's heel throughout the range of motion of head section 824. Thefurther down head section 824 is lowered from the initial head sectionreference point, the more foot section 826 is retracted from the initialfoot section reference point so that heel-pressure relief portion 1070is continuously positioned under the patient's heel throughout the rangeof motion of head section 824.

[0322] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of adjustable length portions of the foot portionof the mattress are provided with or without heel-pressure reliefbladders, such as other configurations include combinations of foam, airbladders, fluidized bladders, or other configurations of mattressportions known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0323] Referring now to FIGS. 85-87, propulsion device 858 is providedto assist caregivers in moving bed 810 about a care facility. Propulsiondevice 828 includes stationary frame 1084 coupled to base frame 860 ofbed frame 812 and a U-shaped rotatable frame 1086 rotatably coupled tostationary frame 1084 by shaft 1085. Stationary frame 1084 includes apair of spaced apart plates 1088, 1090 and a pivot rod 1092 extendingbetween plates 1088, 1090 as shown in FIG. 85.

[0324] Propulsion device 858 further includes a pair of motors 1094,1096 coupled to U-shaped frame 1086 by a pair of gear boxes 1098, 1110and a wheel 1112 rotatably coupled to U-shaped frame 1086 by a shaft1114 as shown in FIG. 86. Gear boxes 1098, 1110 are coupled to shaft1114 to transmit power thereto from motors 1094, 1096.

[0325] As shown in FIG. 86, when propulsion device 858 is not in use,wheel 1112 is spaced apart from floor 1116. Propulsion device 858includes an actuator 1118 coupled to pivot rod 1092 and gear boxes 1098,1110 by another pivot rod 1120. To move wheel 1112 into contact withfloor 1116, actuator 1118 is extended, as shown in FIG. 87, to rotategear boxes 1098, 1110, U-shaped frame 1086, and wheel 1112 in direction1122 about shaft 1085. Once wheel 1112 is in contact with floor 1116,motors 1094, 1096 are activated to drive wheel 1112 through gear boxes1098, 1110.

[0326] After the caregiver has positioned bed 810 in its desiredlocation, wheel 1112 is raised by retracting actuator 1118. As shown inFIG. 85, propulsion device 858 further includes an extension spring 1124coupled to U-shaped frame 1086 and stationary frame 1084. When wheel1112 is lowered, spring 1124 is extended to add tension. This tensionassists actuator 1118 in raising wheel 1112.

[0327] As shown in FIG. 62, control buttons 856 includes an a set ofbuttons 1111, 1113, 1115, 1117 configured to control operation ofpropulsion device 858. Button 1111 is an on/off button configured toenable and disable propulsion device 858. When button 1111 is moved toan on position, actuator 1118 is extended to lower wheel 1112. Whenbutton 1111 is moved to an off position, actuator 1118 is retracted toraise wheel 1112. Button 1113 is a forward/reverse button that controlsthe direction in which wheel 1112 rotates. When button 1113 is moved toa forward position, wheel 1112 is enabled to rotate in a directionpushing bed 810 in a first or forward direction. When button 1113 ismoved to a reverse position, wheel 1112 is enabled to rotate in adirection pushing bed 810 in a second or reverse direction.

[0328] Button 1115 is a speed control button configured to regulate thespeed of rotation of wheel 1112. When button 1115 is in a hi-speedposition, wheel 1112 is enabled to rotate a first or high speed. Whenbutton 1115 is in a low-speed position, wheel 1112 is enabled to rotatea second or low speed. According to an alternative embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the speed control button is configured to have aninfinite number of settings to provide infinite variability in thewheels operating speed.

[0329] Button 1117 is a go/no-go button that activates and deactivatesrotation of wheel 1112. When button 1117 is moved to a go position,power is applied to motors 1094, 1096 and wheel 1112 rotates at thedesignated speed and in the designated direction. When button 1117 ismoved to a no-go position, power is cut from motors 1094, 1096. Ifbutton 1111 is not moved to the on position, power will not be appliedto motors 1094, 1096 regardless of the position of button 1117.

[0330] According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,wires are provided that extend through headboard 816 from buttons 1111,1113, 1115, 1117 to propulsion device 858. At a lower end of headboard816, connectors (not shown) are provided on the wires to aid couplingand uncoupling of headboard 816 to frame 812. The connectors provide acoupling between portions of the wires in headboard 816 and theremainder of the wires positioned on frame 812 to facilitate quickuncoupling and re-coupling of these wires when headboard 816 isuncoupled and coupled to frame 812. Additional description of suitableconnectors is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/264,174,titled Patient Position Detection Apparatus For a Bed, filed Mar. 5,1999, to Dixon et al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporatedby reference herein.

[0331] As shown in FIG. 92, another hospital bed 1210 is providedincluding a frame 1212 positioned on the floor, a deck 1214 coupled toframe 1212, a mattress 1230 positioned on deck 1214, a headboard 1216coupled to frame 1212, a footboard 1218 coupled to deck 1214, a pair ofhead end siderails 1220 coupled to deck 1214, and a pair of foot endsiderails 1234 coupled to frame 1212. Frame 1212 is configured to raiseand lower deck 1214 relative to the floor and to move deck 1214 to theTrendelenburg position and the Reverse Trendelenburg position.

[0332] As shown in FIG. 92, frame 1212 includes a rectangular base frame1232, an upper frame member or intermediate frame 1252, a linkage system1254 coupled to intermediate and base frames 1252, 1232 to permitrelative motion therebetween, and a rectangular weigh frame 1248 coupledto intermediate frame. Bed 1210 further includes a plurality of wheelsor casters 1250 coupled to base frame 1232 to permit hospital bed 1210to be rolled about a care facility and an actuator system 1256 providingpower to actuate linkage system 1254 and move intermediate frame 1252and weigh frame 1248 relative to base frame 1232.

[0333] Hospital bed 1210 further includes a caster braking systemsubstantially similar to caster braking system 868 of hospital bed 810.The caster braking system includes a pair of caster-brake links 1251extending through hollow base frame 1232. The caster braking systeminterconnects each caster 1250 to provide simultaneous braking ofcasters 1250. To simultaneously brake casters 1250, the caregiver stepson one of foot brake pedals 1263 and the caster braking system lockscasters 1250 against rolling.

[0334] Linkage system 1254 includes a pair of head links 1258 pivotablycoupled to a head end 1244 of base frame 1232 and slidably coupled tointermediate frame 1252, a pair of head end guide links 1236 pivotablycoupled to respective head links 1258 and pivotably coupled tointermediate frame 1252 at a fixed pivot point, a pair of foot links1260 slidably coupled to base frame 1232 and slidably coupled tointermediate frame 1252, and a pair of foot end guide links 1262pivotably coupled to respective foot links 1260 and pivotably coupled tointermediate frame 1252 at a fixed pivot point.

[0335] As shown in FIGS. 94 and 95, linkage system 1254 further includesrollers 1238 that ride on intermediate frame 1252 and pins 1261 couplingrollers 1238 to head and foot links 1258,1260 to rotatably couplerollers 1238 to the upper ends of head and foot links 1258, 1260.Intermediate frame 1252 includes a pair of channel members 1268 sized toreceive rollers 1238 to permit sliding of head and foot links 1258, 1260along intermediate frame 1252 during raising and lowering ofintermediate frame 1252 relative to base frame 1230.

[0336] Linkage system 1254 also includes a plate 1239 including a slot1241 sized to receive a pin 1243 coupled to respective lower ends offoot end links 1260 as shown in FIG. 95. Pins 1243 slide in slots 1241during movement of intermediate frame 1252 relative to base frame 1232to provide an extra degree of freedom to help prevent binding of linkagesystem 1254.

[0337] Head end guide links 1236 restrict the motion of head links 1258such that the pivot point between head links 1258 and intermediate frame1252 is restrained to move vertically without moving horizontally. Thisrestriction prevents horizontal movement of intermediate frame 1252relative to base frame 1232 during raising and lowering of intermediateframe 1252. This restrained movement prevents intermediate frame 1252from moving through an arch while moving between the upper and lowerpositions so that intermediate frame 1252 can be raised and loweredwithout requiring additional hospital room for clearance. Similarly,foot end guide links 1262 restrict the motion of foot links 1260 suchthat the pivot point between foot links 1260 and intermediate frame 1252is restrained to move vertically without moving horizontally. Additionaldescription of a similar motion can be found above for frame 12 of bed10.

[0338] Actuator system 1256 provides the force and power necessary toraise and lower intermediate frame 1252. Actuator system 1256 includes ahead link actuator 1264 coupled to head links 1258 and intermediateframe 1252 and a foot link actuator 1266 coupled to foot links 1260 andintermediate frame 1252. Actuator 1264 is coupled to head links 1258through an extension link 1275 that is rigidly coupled to a cross strut1259 which extends between and is rigidly coupled to each of head links1258.

[0339] Similarly, actuator 1266 is coupled to foot links 1260 through anextension link 1277 that is rigidly coupled to a cross strut 1257 whichextends between and which is rigidly coupled to each of foot links 1260.Cross struts 1259, 1257 coordinate the simultaneous movement ofrespective head and foot links 1258, 1260.

[0340] Pins 1261 are provided to pivotably couple actuators 1264, 1266to extension links 1275, 1277. Rollers 1238 are also coupled to pins1261 to guide movement of extension links 1275, 1277 and cross struts1259, 1257 and head and foot links 1258, 1260 during actuation ofactuators 1264, 1266.

[0341] Actuators 1264, 1266 have expandable lengths to adjust theangular position of head and foot links 1258, 1260 relative tointermediate frame 1252 so that head and foot ends 1253, 1255 ofintermediate frame 1252 can be raised or lowered. Each of actuators1264, 1266 is preferably an electric linear actuator having respectivecylinder bodies 1267, cylinder rods 1269, and motors 1271 that operateto extend and retract cylinder rods 1269 relative to cylinder bodies1267 from a fully extended position to a fully retracted position and aninfinite number of positions therebetween. Cylinder rods 1269 are eachpivotably coupled to respective extension links 1275, 1277 by pins 1261and motors 1271 are each pivotably coupled to struts 1322, 1324 includedin intermediate frame 1252 as shown, for example, in FIG. 94.

[0342] Each motor 1271 is electrically coupled to an electric powersource 1281 coupled to base frame 1232. Power source 1281 includes abattery (not shown) and a plug (not shown). When bed 1210 is positionedin a location near a wall outlet, the plug is plugged into the walloutlet to provide power from operating motors 1271 and the otherfunctions of bed 1210 and for recharging the batteries. When powersource 1281 is unplugged from the wall outlet, the batteries provide thenecessary operating power for bed 1210.

[0343] Actuators 1264, 1266 are available from LINAK U.S. Inc. ofLouisville, Ky. Each actuator 1264 includes a power screw (not shown)that translates the rotational motion and power of motors 1271 into thelinear motion and power of cylinder rods 1269. A screw nut (not shown)is provided that is coupled to cylinder rod 1269. The screw nut engagesthe power screw positioned in cylinder body 1267. Motor 1271 turns thepower screw in one direction to push the screw nut away from motor 1271and extend cylinder rod 1269 and turns the power screw in an oppositedirection to pull the nut toward motor 1271 and retract cylinder rod1269. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of actuators are provided such as pneumaticactuators with electrical or pneumatic controls, hydraulic actuatorswith electrical or hydraulic controls, motors with links, pulleys, orcables, or any other configurations of linear and non-linear actuatorsknown to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0344] When head and foot link actuators 1264, 1266 are actuatedsimultaneously, such that each actuator 1264, 1266 extends, intermediateframe 1252 raises away from base frame 1232. When head and foot linkactuators 1264, 1266 are actuated simultaneously, such that eachactuator 1264, 1266 retracts, intermediate frame 1252 lowers toward baseframe 1232. When both actuators 1264, 1266 retract or extend atapproximately the same rate, intermediate frame 1252 is maintained in agenerally horizontal orientation and does not “swing” outwardly orinwardly relative to base frame 1232.

[0345] When head link actuator 1264 is activated and foot link actuator1266 is maintained at a constant length, intermediate frame 1252 movesto the Trendelenburg position (not shown) similar to that shown for bed10 in FIG. 5 so that head end 1253 of intermediate frame 1252 is loweredand foot end 1255 of intermediate frame 1252 is slightly raised. Whenthe foot link actuator 1266 is activated and head link actuator 1264 ismaintained at a constant length, intermediate frame 1252 moves to theReverse Trendelenburg position so that foot end 1255 of intermediateframe 1252 lowers and head end 1253 of intermediate frame 1252 slightlyraises.

[0346] As shown in FIGS. 95 and 96, intermediate frame 1252 is loweredby activating both head and foot link actuators 1264, 1266. As thelength of foot link actuator 1266 decreases, the angle between footlinks 1260 and intermediate frame 1252 decreases and foot end 1255 ofintermediate frame 1252 lowers. As the length of head link actuator 1264decreases, the angle between head links 1258 and intermediate frame 1252increases and head end 1253 of intermediate frame 1252 lowers.

[0347] As the length of head and foot link actuators 1264, 1266continues to decrease, intermediate frame 1252 continues to lower fromthe upper position to a lower position as shown, for example, in FIG.96. Because head and foot link actuators 1264, 1266 decrease theirrespective lengths at substantially the same rate, intermediate frame1252 remains substantially horizontal while moving from the upperposition, shown in FIG. 95, to the lower position shown in FIG. 96. Toposition upper frame 1252 back in the upper position, head and foot linkactuators 1264, 1266 are simultaneously lengthened until each actuator1264, 1266 returns to its original length as shown in FIG. 95.

[0348] Linkage system 1254 and actuator system 1256 also cooperate tomove intermediate frame 1252 to the Trendelenburg position. To moveintermediate frame 1252 to the Trendelenburg position, head linkactuator 1264 decreases its length such that the angle betweenintermediate frame 1252 and head links 1258 increases. Head end 1253 ofintermediate frame 1252 lowers and the length of foot link actuator 1266remains substantially constant to provide a pivot point about whichintermediate frame 1252 rotates. As intermediate frame 1252 rotates,foot end 1255 of intermediate frame 1252 is slightly raised. Toreposition intermediate frame 1252 in the upper horizontal position, thelength of head link actuator 1264 is increased until it returns to itsprevious length.

[0349] Actuator system 1256 and linkage system 1254 also cooperate toposition intermediate frame 1252 in the Reverse Trendelenburg positionas shown in FIG. 92. To move intermediate frame 1252 to the ReverseTrendelenburg position, the length of foot link actuator 1266 isdecreased so that the angle between foot links 1260 and intermediateframe 1252 is decreased and foot end 1255 of intermediate frame 1252lowers. The overall length of head link actuator 1264 remainssubstantially constant so that intermediate frame 1252 pivots about headlinks 1258. As intermediate frame 1252 pivots, head end 1253 ofintermediate frame 1252 is slightly raised as foot end 1255 ofintermediate frame 1252 lowers. To reposition intermediate frame 1252 inthe upper horizontal position, the length of foot link actuator 1266 isincreased until it returns to its previous length.

[0350] As shown in FIG. 93, intermediate frame 1252 is surrounded byrectangular weigh frame 1248. Rectangular frame 1248 includes a pair ofspaced apart longitudinally extending members 1310, 1312 and a pair oftransversely extending members 1314, 1316 coupled to each longitudinallyextending member 1310, 1312.

[0351] Intermediate frame 1252 includes a pair of longitudinallyextending members 1318, 1320 and a pair of transversely extendingmembers 1322, 1324 coupled to each longitudinally extending member 1318.1320. Load cell members 1326, 1328, 1330, 1332 are coupled to each endof respective transversely extending member 1322, 1324 as shown in FIG.93. A load cell 1334, 1336, 1338, 1340 is coupled to each respectiveload cell member 1326, 1328, 1330, 1332. Transversely extending members1314, 1316 of weigh frame 1248 are supported by respective load cells1334, 1336, 1338, 1340 as shown in FIGS. 93 and 95.

[0352] The weight of weigh frame 1248 and anything supported by weighframe 1248, such as deck 1214, mattress 1230, and a patient, istransmitted to load cells 1334, 1336, 1338, 1340. This weight deflectsor otherwise changes a characteristic of load cells 1334, 1336, 1338,1340 which is detected to determine the total weight supported thereby.By subtracting a known weight of weigh frame 1248, deck 1214, mattress1230 and any other bed components supported on weigh frame 1248, theweight of the patient positioned on bed 1210 can be determined.Additional description of load cells and methods for determining apatient's weight, position in the bed, and other indications provided byload cells is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/669,707,filed Sep. 26, 2000, titled Load Cell Apparatus, to Mobley et al., thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, otherconfigurations and methods of using load cells or other devices todetermine a patient's weight or other information related to the patientknown to those of ordinary skill in the art are provided.

[0353] As shown in FIG. 93, intermediate frame 1252 further includesmembers 1342, 1344, 1346, 1348 coupled to load cell members 1326, 1328,1330, 1332 and plate members 1350, 1352, 1354, 1356 coupled torespective transverse members 1322, 1324 and respective members 1342,1344, 1346, 1348. As shown in FIG. 93, head and foot guide links 1236,1262 are pivotably coupled to respective plate members 1350, 1352, 1354,1356 to provided the pivotable coupling between head and foot guidelinks 1236, 1262 and intermediate frame 1252.

[0354] As shown in FIG. 94 longitudinally extending members 1318, 1320of intermediate frame 1252 include respective upper portions 1358, 1360,1362, 1364 coupled to the bottom sides of transversely extending members1322, 1324 and to the outer side of plate members 1350, 1352, 1354,1356, step portions 1366, 1368, 1370, 1372 coupled to respective upperportions 1358, 1360, 1362, 1364, and lower portions 1374, 1376 coupledto respective step portions 1366, 1368, 1370, 1372. As shown in FIG. 94,lower portions 1374, 1376 of longitudinally extending members 1318, 1320are positioned at a lower elevation than longitudinally extendingmembers 1310, 1312 of weigh frame 1248.

[0355] Intermediate frame 1252 further includes a transversely extendingstrut 1378 extending between lower portions 1374, 1376 and a yoke 1380positioned over cylinder bodies 1269 of actuators 1264, 1266. Yoke 1380is coupled to transversely extending strut 1378 by a fastener 1382 tosandwich cylinder bodies 1269 of actuators 1264, 1266 therebetween.

[0356] Intermediate frame 1252 also includes members 1384, 1386 coupledto transversely extending members 1322, 1324 and channel members 1268 asshown in FIG. 94. Channels 1268 are coupled to bottom side of members1384, 1386 and to upper sides of transversely extending strut 1378 sothat channel members 1268 are positioned at a lower elevation thanlongitudinally extending members 1310, 1312 of weigh frame 1248.

[0357] Motor 1271 of actuator 1264 is coupled to transversely extendingmember 1322 and motor 1271 of actuator 1266 is coupled to transverselyextending member 1324 as shown in FIG. 93. As shown in FIG. 95,actuators 1264, 1266 are positioned below the elevation of the uppersurface of weigh frame 1248.

[0358] As shown in FIG. 96, portions of intermediate frame 1252 nestwithin base frame 1232 when intermediate frame is in its lower-mostposition. As shown in FIG. 93, longitudinally-extending members 1318,1320 of intermediate frame 1252 define an outer width 1311 that is lessthan an inner width 1313 between longitudinally extending members 1315,1317 of base frame 1232. Weigh frame 1248 has an outer width 1319defined by longitudinally extending members 1310, 1312 that issubstantially equal to an outer width 1321 of base frame 1232. Becauselower portions 1374, 1376 of longitudinally-extending members 1318, 1320extend below weigh frame 1248 and are closer together thanlongitudinally extending members 1315, 1317 of base frame 1248, lowerportions 1374, 1376 of intermediate frame 1252 are positioned withinbase frame 1248 when in the lower-most position.

[0359] Bed 1210 further includes a control system configured to controlactuators 1264, 1266 and other various components and functions of bed1210. As shown in FIG. 97, the control system includes a controller 1412that is removably received by foot end siderail 1234 so that it can beremoved from one of foot end siderails 1234 and coupled to the otherfoot end siderail 1234 to control various functions of bed 1210.Controller 1412 is configured to control the raising and lowering ofdeck 1214 and to control movement of various portions or sections ofdeck 1214. Controller 1412 is also configured to receive informationfrom a caregiver related to a patient and to send and receive patient orbed-related data to a central computer for storage, tracking, andanalysis.

[0360] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,the controller is configured to control other features of the bed suchas features of the mattress. Additional description of suitableelectronics and other features of a controller is provided in U.S. Pat.No. 5,715,548, titled Chair Bed, filed Aug. 4, 1995; U.S. Pat. No.6,008,598, titled Hand-Held Controller For Bed and Mattress Assembly,filed Apr. 22, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,868, titled Hospital BedCommunication and Control Device, filed Jan. 1, 1997; and U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/202,284, titled Remote Control for aHospital Bed, filed May 5, 2000, the disclosures of which are expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

[0361] As shown in FIG. 97, bed 1210 includes a removable controllermount 1414 configured to removable couple controller 1412 to one of footend siderails 1234. Bed 1210 further includes a removable cover 1415configured to mount to the other foot end siderail 1234 as shown in FIG.99. Removable controller mount 1414 with controller 1412 and removablecover 1415 are exchangeable. For example, to move controller 1412 fromone side of bed 1210 to the other, removable controller mount 1414 withcontroller 1412 and cover 1415 are uncoupled from their respective footend siderail 1234, switched between the opposite foot end siderails1234, and re-coupled to opposite foot end siderail 1234 to complete theexchange. Thus, if the orientation of bed 1210 in a hospital or otherroom does not provide access to controller 1412, controller 1412 can beexchanged from one side of bed 1210 to the other to provide such access.

[0362] Controller 1412 includes a housing 1416, a plurality of controlbuttons 1418, an LED display 1419, and a rod 1420 coupling housing 1416to controller mount 1414. Controller mount 1412 includes a pocket 1422configured to receive controller 1412 as shown in FIGS. 97 and 98.According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, thedisplay is an LCD, plasma, or other display known to those of ordinaryskill in the art.

[0363] Rod 1420 pivotably couples housing 1416 to controller mount 1414.This coupling permits a user to see control buttons 1418 better bytitling a lower edge 1424 of housing 1416 upward. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurationsof couplers between the housing and the controller mount are provided.For example, hooks, hook-and-loop type fasteners, snaps, a detachablehinge, or other devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art areprovided to pivotably or otherwise couple the controller to thesiderail.

[0364] Housing 1416 has a width that is less than a width of pocket 1422so that when controller 1412 is positioned in pocket 1422, controller1412 and surfaces 1430, 1432 cooperate to define hand holes 1434, 1436as shown in FIG. 97. To tilt controller 1412, a caregiver inserts eitherof their hands or fingers into one of hand holes 1434, 1436 to graspcontroller 1412. Having grasped controller 1412, the caregiver can thentilt controller 1412 upward.

[0365] Each foot end siderail 1234 includes a pocket 1438 sized toreceive body 1142 of controller mount 1414 as shown in FIG. 97.Removable controller mount 1414 includes a perimeter flange 1440 and abody 1442 defining pocket 1422. Foot end siderail 1234 includes an edgeor shoulder 1444 on which perimeter flange 1440 rests when controllermount 1414 is coupled to the respective foot end siderail 1234 so thatan outer surface 1417 of siderail 1234 is flush with an outer surface1421 of perimeter flange 1440.

[0366] As shown in FIG. 98, body 1422 includes a top wall 1423, a bottomwall 1425 spaced apart from top wall 1423, a pair of side walls 1427,1429 extending between top and bottom walls 1423, 1425, and a back wall1431 coupled to top, bottom, and side walls 1423, 1425, 1427, 1429. Top,bottom, side, bottom, and back walls 1423, 1425, 1427, 1429, 1431cooperated to define pocket 1422. Perimeter flange 1440 is coupled totop, bottom, and side walls 1423, 1425, 1427, 1429.

[0367] Body 1442 and flange 1440 of controller mount 1414 and panel 1415are configured to mount on either of the two foot end siderails 1234 sothat controller 1412 can be initially mounted on one of foot endsiderails 1234 and later moved to the other foot end siderail 1234 asdiscussed above. For example, flange 1440 and panel 1415 are symmetricabout a vertical axis so that they can fit on either edge 1444 of footend siderails 1234. When panel 1415 is coupled to the respective footend siderail 1234 outer surface 1417 of siderail 1234 is flush with anouter surface 1433 of panel 1415 as shown in FIG. 100.

[0368] As shown in FIG. 100, siderail 1234 includes a top wall 1435, abottom wall 1437 spaced apart from top wall 1435, a pair of side walls1439, 1441 extending between top and bottom walls 1435, 1437, and a backwall 1443 coupled to top, bottom, and side walls 1435, 1437, 1439, 1441.Top, bottom, side, bottom, and back walls 1435, 1437, 1439, 1441, 1443cooperated to define pocket 1438. Edge 1444 is positioned adjacent totop, bottom, and side walls 1435, 1437, 1439, 1441.

[0369] As shown in FIGS. 98 and 100, each foot end siderail 1234 furtherincludes a pair of threaded fastener-receiving apertures 1448 configuredto receive fasteners 1450 that extend through fastener-receivingapertures 1452 in back wall of 1431 of body 1442 of controller mount1414 to removably couple controller mount 1414 to the respective footend siderail 1234. Removable cover 1415 also includes counter-sunkfastener-receiving apertures 1458 configured to receive fasteners 1460that extending into fastener-receiving apertures 1448 to removablycouple cover 1415 to either foot end siderail 1234. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurationsof fasteners are provided to removably or otherwise couple thecontroller mount to the siderail, such as snaps, tabs, latches, hooks,hook-and-loop type fasteners, screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives, or otherconfigurations of couplings known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0370] Controller 1412 and each siderail 1234 are configured tofacilitate electrical coupling and uncoupling of controller 1412 fromeither siderail 1234. Each foot end siderail 1234 includes an electricalcoupler 1454 and controller 1412 also includes a complementaryelectrical coupler 1456 configured to coupled to either respectivecoupler 1454 of foot end siderails 1234. Electrical coupler 1454 ispositioned in a space 1445 defined between top wall 1423 of controllermount 1414 and top wall 1435 of siderail 1234 when controller 1412 iscoupled to the respective siderail 1234.

[0371] Electrical coupler 1454 is preferably a male plug connector thatincludes a body and a plurality of plugs. Each plug corresponds to oneof a plurality of wires 1466 that extend through foot end siderail 1234to a central controller or processor and various electrical componentsof bed 1210. Similarly, electrical coupler 1456 is preferably a femaleplug connector that includes a body and a plurality of socketscorresponding to one of a plurality of wires 1472 extending to andthrough controller housing 1416 to a circuit board 1474 configured toreceive commands from buttons 1418 and to output data to display 1419.Each socket of coupler 1456 is sized to receive a corresponding plug ofcoupler 1454 to provide electrical coupling between wires 1466 ofrespective siderails 1234 and wires 1472 of controller 1412. Preferably,electrical couplers 1454, 1456 are indexed to insure correct orientationof the corresponding plugs and sockets.

[0372] To move controller 1412 from one foot end siderail 1234 to theother, controller 1412 is pivoted up to provide access to fasteners1450. Fasteners 1450 are then removed to uncouple controller mount 1414and thus controller 1412 from foot end siderail 1234. Electrical coupler1456 of controller 1412 is uncoupled from electrical coupler 1454 ofsiderail 1234 so that controller 1412 is electrically uncoupled fromsiderail 1234. Similarly, fasteners 1460 are removed from the other footend siderail 1234 to uncouple cover 1415 therefrom.

[0373] Controller mount 1414 and controller 1412 and cover 1415 are thenmoved to the opposite siderail 1234. Electrical coupler 1454 is thencoupled to electrical coupler 1456 of the respective siderail 1234 andfasteners 1450 are threaded into fastener-receiving apertures 1448 tocouple controller mount 1414 and controller 1412 to siderail 1234.Similarly, fasteners 1460 are threaded into fastener-receiving apertures1448 of respective siderail 1234 to couple cover 1415 to siderail 1234.

[0374] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,the controller mounts and controllers are configured to couple to otherbarriers on the bed such as the head end siderails, headboard, orfootboard. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,multiple controller mounts with controllers are provided on each bed.

[0375] Controller 1412 further includes an interface panel 2020,illustrated in FIG. 101. Interface panel 2020 includes a plurality ofmembrane input control buttons 1418 and a plurality of status indicators2000 which are electrically coupled to circuit board 1474, allowingcontroller 1412 to be used by persons outside bed 1210 to control theoperation of various features of bed 1210, including articulation ofdeck 1214, operation of the patient weighing function, enablement of apatient position monitoring system, lockout of a corded patient pendantcontroller 1476, sending a nurse call signal, and/or lockout ofentertainment devices, such as television, radio, or the like. In apreferred embodiment, status indicators 2000 are an LED's electricallycoupled to interface panel 2020. According to alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure, other functions of the bed or remote equipmentare controlled by the controller.

[0376] According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,some of buttons 1418 are only operable after a key control button 2070is first pressed. This helps prevent the accidental activation anddeactivation of certain functions of bed 1210.

[0377] As shown in FIG. 101, patient position monitor buttons 2090,2092, 2094 are provided that are only operable after key control button2070 is first pressed. If a caregiver or patient presses any of buttons2090, 2092, 2094 without first pressing key control button 2070, buttons2090, 2092, 2094 will not respond to being pressed. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other buttons arealso only operable after pressing the key control button.

[0378] Patient monitoring buttons 2090, 2092, 2094 control activation ofpatient position monitoring system, which notifies a caregiver when thepatient changes position relative to bed 1210. When one of buttons 2090,2092, 2094 is selected, the other respective buttons 2090, 2092, 2094are automatically deselected.

[0379] Button 2094 controls activation of the position monitoring systemto detect an “exit” condition when the patient has exited bed 1210. Whenbutton 2094 is pressed to activate monitoring of the exit condition, therespective indicator 2000 adjacent to button 2094 lights up. Otherwisethe respective indicator 2000 adjacent to button 2094 is off. If theexit condition is detected, visual and audible alarms will activatenotifying the caregiver that the patient has exited bed 1210.

[0380] Button 2092 controls activation of the position monitoring systemto detect a “pre-exit” condition when the patient is bearing weightprimarily on an edge of bed 1210, such as when the patient is sitting onthe edge of bed 1210. When button 2092 is pressed to activate monitoringof the pre-exit condition, the respective indicator 2000 adjacent tobutton 2092 lights up. Otherwise the respective indicator 2000 adjacentto button 2092 is off. If the pre-exit condition is detected, the visualand audible alarms will activate notifying the caregiver that thepatient has moved to the edge of bed 1210. Furthermore, the alarms willalso activate if the exit condition is detected.

[0381] Button 2090 controls activation of the position monitoring systemto detect a “patient up” condition when the patient's torso moves frombeing positioned over head section 1487 of deck 1226 to being positionedover another section of deck 1226. When button 2090 is pressed toactivate monitoring of the patient up condition, the respectiveindicator 2000 adjacent to button 2090 lights up. Otherwise therespective indicator 2000 adjacent to button 2090 is off. If the patientup condition is detected, the visual and audible alarms will activatenotifying the caregiver that the patient has moved to the up position.Furthermore, the alarms will also activate if the pre-exit and exitconditions are detected.

[0382] To turn any of the three patient position detection functions onor off, key control button 2070 must first be pressed. Once key controlbutton 2070 is pressed, the caregiver has a predetermined time period inwhich to press the respective button 2090, 2092, 2094 to turn on or offthe respective patient position monitoring function or to selectionanother patient position monitoring function. If the caregiver fails toturn a particular patient position monitoring function on or off orfails to select another patient position monitoring function within thepredetermined time period, pressing buttons 2090, 2092, 2094 will haveno effect and key control button 2070 must be pressed again. If thecaregiver presses one of button 2090, 2092, 2094 within thepredetermined time period, that respective button will toggle from on tooff or off to on and the respective indicators 2000 lights up or turnoff accordingly. According to the preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the predetermined time period is 10 seconds.

[0383] Alarm control buttons 2096, 2100 and volume indicator 2098 areprovided to a caregiver to control the volume of the audible alarm thatsounds when the patient monitoring system detects one of theabove-mentioned conditions. Alarm button 2096 controls the volume of thealarm. Volume indicator 2098 comprises a plurality of LED's that are litaccording to the selected volume level, i.e., the higher the volumeselected, the more LED's that are lit. If a user wants to turn thevolume up, alarm button 2096 is pressed repeatedly until the desiredvolume is reached. To lower the volume, alarm button 2096 is pressedrepeatedly until the peak volume is reached. After the peak volume isreached, continued pressing on alarm button 2096 will gradually reducethe volume of the alarm until the lowest volume is reached. After thelowest volume is reached, continued pressing on alarm button 2096 willgradually increase the volume. Alarm control button 2100 turns theaudible alarm off.

[0384] Inflation system buttons 2200, 2202, 2204, 2206, 2208 areprovided that control the function of the air pressure inflation system.On/off button 2200 turns the inflation system on or off. Maximuminflation button 2202 inflates the mattress zones to a predefined airpressure level to facilitate administration of CPR. Heel zone buttons2204, 2206, 2208 enable inflation or deflation of the air bladderscorresponding to the different heel zones of mattress 1230 forheel-pressure relief. When one of heel zone buttons 2204, 2206, 2208 isselected, a corresponding heel pressure relief bladder is deflated toprovide heel-pressure relief. When the respective button 2204, 2206,2208 is deselected, the pressure in the corresponding heel pressurerelief bladder is inflated to is normal operating pressure. Therespective indicators 2000 adjacent each button 2204, 2206, 2208indicate which heel pressure relief bladder is current deflated.

[0385] Foot extend and retract buttons 2210, 2220 cause foot section1590 to extend and retract which permits the position of footboard 1218of bed 1210 to be adjusted relative to the position of the patient'sfoot. To extend foot section 1590, extend button 2210 is pressed untilthe desired position of footboard 1218 is reached. To retract footsection 1590, retract button 2220 is pressed until the desired positionis reached.

[0386] Chair buttons 2226, 2228 are provided to control adjustment ofthe position of deck 1226 between the chair and bed positions. To movebed 1210 toward the chair position, chair button 2226 is pressed untilthe degree of the chair position is achieved. To move bed 1210 towardthe bed position, chair button 2228 is pressed until the desired degreeof the chair position is removed or until bed 1210 reaches the bedposition.

[0387] TV button 2224 enables and disables (locks out) control of thetelevision or other entertainment system. When nurse call button 2050 ispressed, a signal is sent to a nurse station or directly topredetermined caregivers that indicates that the patient needsattention.

[0388] Patient pendant button 2230 enables and disables (locks out)specific features of corded patient pendent controller 1476. By pressingbutton 2230, the control feature of controller 1476 that controls thehead up and knee up functions are enabled and disabled. By pressingbutton 2230 once, the head up control provided by controller 1476 isdisabled and the knee up control remains enabled. When the head upcontrol of pendent 1476 is disabled, the respective indicator 2000adjacent to the text “HEAD” is lit. When button 2230 is pressed a secondtime, the knee up control provided by controller 1476 is disabled andthe head up control is enabled. When the knee up function of pendent1476 is disabled, the respective indicator 2000 adjacent the text “KNEE”is lit. When button 2230 is pressed a third time, both the head up andknee up controls provided by controller 1476 are disabled. When the headup and knee up controls of pendent 1476 are disabled, both therespective indicators are lit. When button 2230 is pressed a fourthtime, both the head up and knee up controls provided by controller 1476are enabled and respective indicators are off. By enabling and disablingcontroller 1476 controls, a caregiver can prevent a patient havingaccess to controller 1476 from accidentally articulating bed 1210 whensuch articulation may be undesirable.

[0389] Weigh system panel 2242 of interface panel 2020 includes aplurality of buttons and LED display 1419 which permit a caregiver toweigh the patient using the patient weighing function. Weighing systempanel 2242 is enabled and disabled by on/off button 2232. Unit selectionbutton 2234 enables the caregiver to choose between pounds and kilogramsas the unit of weight measurement. LED display 1419 displays thepatient's weight and selected unit of measurement.

[0390] Calibration button 2236, change item button 2238, add item button2240, and subtract item button 2242 are provided to the caregiver tocalibrate the system for weighing a patient. For example, before apatient is placed on bed 1210, calibration button 2236 is pressed to setthe weight reading to 000.0 lbs/kg so that the initial weight ofmattress 1230, deck 1226, and any other bed component or piece ofmedical equipment is negated from the weight reading. Thus, only theweight of the patient is indicated when the patient is on bed 1210.

[0391] If a bed component or piece of medical equipment is added to orremoved from bed 1210 that may affect the weight reading, change itembutton 2238, add item button 2240, and subtract item button 2242 areused to take the additional or subtracted weight into account. Forexample, if a piece of medical equipment, such as an IV pole, is addedto bed 1210, change item button 2238 and add item button 2240 arepressed while the piece of medical equipment is added and the additionalweight detected by the weigh system is subtracted from the measuredweight so that the additional weight of the IV pole is negated from theweight displayed on display 1419. Similarly, if a piece of medicalequipment is removed from bed 1210, change item button 2238 and subtractitem button 2242 are pressed while the piece of medical equipment isremoved and the removed weight detected by the weigh system is added tothe measured weight so that the loss of weight of the removed pieced ofmedical equipment is negated from the weight displayed on display 1419.

[0392] Light LED indicator 2080, which relate to various bed statusfunctions, such as motor power, bed not down, or service required, arealso included on interface panel 2020. The respective indicator 2080adjacent to the text “Motor Power Off” is lit when the power toactuators 1266, 1268 is off. When the power to actuators 1266, 1268 ison, this respective indicator 2080 is off. The respective indicator 2080adjacent to the text “Bed Not Down” is lit when intermediate frame 1252is not in the lowermost position. When intermediate frame 1252 is in thelowermost position, this respective indicator 2080 is off. Therespective indicator 2080 adjacent to the text “Service Required” is litwhen bed 1210 detects that a component needs serviced. If bed 1210 doesnot detect that a component needs serviced, this respective indicator2080 is off.

[0393] As shown in FIG. 102, the control system further includes cordedpendant controller 1476 similar to controller 986 of bed 810 that isconfigured to removably and slidably couple to head and foot endsiderails 1220, 1234. Controller 1476 includes a housing 1478, aplurality of control buttons (not shown) for controlling variousfunctions of bed 1210, and a speaker and microphone (not shown) forfacilitating communication between a person positioned on bed 1210 and acaregiver, and a circuit board 1486.

[0394] Controller 1476 is configured to slide in either opening 1488 ofhead end siderails 1220 or opening 1490 of foot end siderails 1234between an infinite number of positions similar to the movement shown inFIGS. 76 and 78 for controller 986.

[0395] Because patients vary in size, one patient may find it moreconvenient to position controller 1476 in one of the many availablepositions on either head or foot end siderails 1220, 1234 than anotherpatient. Thus, various patients can position controller 1476 in any ofthe infinite number of positions on any of head or foot end siderails1220, 1234 depending on the preference of particular patient positionedon bed 1210. Furthermore, a patient may decided to adjust the positionof controller 1476 if the configuration of deck 1214 is changed. Forexample, if a head portion or section 1487 of deck 1214 is raised, apatient may desire to reposition controller 1476 along the particularsiderail 1220, 1234 or remove controller 1476 and place it on anothersiderail 1220,1234.

[0396] As shown in FIG. 102, housing 1478 of controller 1476 includes afirst stepped concave surface 1492 and a second curved concave surface1494 that complement convex surfaces 1496, 1498 of rail member 1506 ofhead end siderail 1220. Foot end siderail 1234 also includes convexsurfaces 1510, 1512 that are complemented by concave surfaces 1492,1494. As shown in FIG. 102, a substantial portion of controller 1476 ispositioned within rail member 1506 so that controller 1476 maintains arelatively low profile compared to an inner surface 1514 of rail member1506 when positioned in rail member 1506 to avoid interference withother components of bed 1210 or other pieces of medical equipment.According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, thecontroller is positioned further in the opening formed in the railmember so that little or none of the controller extends beyond an innersurface of the rail member.

[0397] The respective pairs of convex surfaces 1496, 1498, 1510, 1512 ofsiderails 1220, 1234 cooperate to define a top rail and a bottom railthat define a guide. Concave surfaces 1492, 1494 and retainer 1516cooperate to define a complementary formation configured to ride alongthe top and bottom rails/guide. According to alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure, other configurations of rails and guides andcomplementary formations are provided such as raised rails, channels,slots, or other configurations of guides and complementary formationsknown to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0398] Controller 1476 further includes a retainer 1516 configured toretain controller 1476 in either opening 1490, 1488 to permit sliding ofcontroller 1476 along siderails 1220, 1234 and to permit removal ofcontroller 1476 from openings 1490, 1488. When controller 1476 ispositioned in opening 1490 of foot end siderail 1234, retainer 1516 ispositioned adjacent to concave surface 1496 of housing 1478.

[0399] Retainer 1516 includes a spring-biased retainer or latch member1518 that extends through an aperture 1520 formed in housing 1478 sothat when a patient pulls on controller 1476 in direction 1522, retainermember 1518 is pushed inwardly so that a distal end 1524 of retainermember 1518 rides over the inner most portion of convex surface 1496 sothat retainer 1516 no longer retains controller 1476 in the respectivesiderail 1220, 1234.

[0400] To reposition controller 1476 back in siderails 1220, 1234, thepatient positions second concave surface 1494 adjacent to convex surface1498 of rail member 1506 of head end siderail 1220 so that a peaked tip1495 of housing 1478 captures the respective rail member 1506. The lowerend of controller 1476 is pushed in direction 1526 so that retainermember 1518 rides back over convex surface 1496. Peaked tip 1495 andretainer member 1518 then define a width 1497 that is greater than awidth 1499 of opening 1488 so that controller 1476 is retained in eitherhead end siderail 1220. An identical procedure is followed for placingand removing controller 1476 from opening 1490 in foot end siderails1234. Furthermore, controller 1476 may also be coupled to rail member1506 through the opposite side of opening 1488. According to analternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the openings in thehead and foot end siderails do not extend completely through thesiderails.

[0401] As shown in FIGS. 102 and 103, housing 1478 including a pair ofmounts 1520 on which retainer member 1518 is pivotably coupled. Housing1478 further includes a spring mount 1522 and retainer 1516 furtherincludes a biaser or spring 1524 positioned between spring mount 1522and retainer member 1518. Spring 1524 biases retainer member 1518 indirection 1527 toward convex surface 1496 as shown in FIG. 102.According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, otherbiasers are provided, such as torsion springs, the retainer member beingcantilevered and flexible, or other configurations of biasers known tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

[0402] Retainer member 1518 includes a body portion 1528 pivotablycoupled to mount 1520, a ramp-shaped latch portion 1530 positioned toextend through aperture 1520 of housing 1478, and a pair of stops ortabs 1532 as shown in FIG. 103.

[0403] Ramp-shaped latch portion 1530 includes an inclined surface 1534that rides over convex surface 1496. Tabs 1532 have an outer width thatis greater than a width of aperture 1520 to prevent retainer member 1518from rotating further than shown in FIGS. 102 and 103.

[0404] According to another alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure, ball detent retainers are provided, such as those shown inFIG. 75, to removably retain the controller in the head and foot endsiderails. According to other alternative embodiments of the disclosure,other retainers known to those of ordinary skill in the art are providedto retain the controller in the siderails such as tabs, clasps, catches,locks, other latches, clamps, pins, bolts, bars, hasp, hooks, or otherretainers known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0405] As shown in FIG. 104, first and second concave surfaces 1492,1494 are indexed to match convex surfaces 1496, 1498, 1510, 1512 ofsiderails 1220, 1234 to prevent insertion of controller 1476 in aupside-down orientation. Each surface 1492, 1494 is curved along itslongitudinal length to substantially match the longitudinal contour ofopenings 1488, 1490 of head and foot end siderails 1220, 1234. Forexample, lower surface 1492 has a radius of curvature 1483 that matchesa radius of curvature 1481 of lower surfaces 1496, 1510 of head and footend rails 1220, 1234. Similarly, upper surface 1494 has a radius ofcurvature 1489 that matches a radius of curvature 1485 of upper surfaces1498, 1512 of head and foot end rails 1220, 1234. If a patient orcaregiver attempts to insert controller 1476 into either opening 1488,1490 in an upside-down orientation, corners 1540, 1542 will blockinsertion of controller 1476 into opening 1488, 1490.

[0406] Because of the curvature of convex surfaces 1496, 1498, 1510,1512 of siderails 1220, 1234, openings 1488, 1490 are also curved. Ascontroller 1476 slides along these curved surfaces, they follow a paththat has both longitudinal and transverse components 1539, 1541 relativeto a longitudinal axis 1543 of the respective siderails 1220, 1234 asshown in FIG. 104.

[0407] As shown in FIG. 102, controller 1476 further includes a cord1544 that communicates electric signals to and from controller 1476.Cord 1544 includes a connector (not shown) similar to connector 1034 ofbed 1210 that couples to either of two connectors 1546, 1548 on weighframe 1248. According to the preferred embodiment of the disclosure,connector 1548 is coupled to a first side of bed 1210 as shown in FIG.92 and connector 1546 is coupled to an opposite second side of bed 1210as shown in FIG. 109. A plurality of wires (not shown) are coupled toeach connector 1546, 1548 to communicate with the various electricallycontrolled devices of bed 1210. Preferably, the plurality of wires meetat a junction (not shown), such as a central controller or processor,and then extend to the various electrically controlled devices.

[0408] Because two connectors 1546, 1548 are provided on opposite sidesof bed 1210, controller 1476 can be plugged into either side of bed1210. Thus, if a patient or caregiver finds it more convenient toposition controller 1476 on the pair of head and foot end siderails1220, 1234 on the first side of bed 1210, controller 1476 can be pluggedinto connector 1546 without cord 1544 having to be strung over themattress. Similarly, if a patient or caregiver finds it more convenientto position controller 1476 on the pair of head and foot end siderails1220, 1234 on the second side of bed 1210, controller 1476 can beplugged into connector 1548 without cord 1544 having to be strung overthe mattress. Thus, a corded controller is provided that can beremovably coupled to either side of the bed without having to string thecord of the controller over the mattress of the bed.

[0409] As shown in FIG. 105, the control system of bed 1210 furtherincludes a foot-operated control assembly 1554 that includes a pluralityof foot-operated controls 1555. Foot-operated controls 1555 are providedto control raising and lowering of deck 1214, raising and lowering headsection 1487 relative to weigh frame 1248, and moving weigh frame 1248between the Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg positions.Foot-operated controls 1555 are also provided to place bed 1210 in a CPRmode. When in the CPR mode, mattress 1230 is inflated to a predeterminedmaximum pressure to provide a firm surface for performing CPR, headsection 1487 of deck 1226, if raised, is lowered to a flat position, anda seat section 1557 of deck 1226, if raised, is lowered to a flatposition.

[0410] Each foot-operated control 1555 is associated with one of theabovementioned functions and includes a pedal or control member 1556appropriately labeled for the respective function. By stepping on any ofpedals 1556 or raising any of pedals 1556 with the tip of one's foot,one of these functions of bed 1210 is activated. When pedals 1556 arereleased, they are automatically biased back to the neutral position andthe function terminates.

[0411] Pedals 1556 are pivotably coupled to a pedal housing 1558 that isfixedly coupled to base frame 1230 in a spaced-apart relationship withthe floor. Pedal housing 1558 includes a plurality of walls 1559 thatcooperated to define cavities 1561 that receive pedals 1556. Walls 1559are coupled to a plurality of aligned rectangular collars 1563, 1565,1567 that cooperate to receive base frame 1232 as shown in FIGS. 105 and106. Collar 1565 is centrally located and defines an enclosed space1567. Collars 1563, 1565 are coupled to base frame 1232 by a pluralityof fasteners 1569.

[0412] As shown in FIG. 106, each pedal 1556 is pivotable between afirst or up position (shown in phantom), a second or down position(shown in phantom), and a third or neutral position (shown in solid).Each pedal 1556 has a stepped profile and includes a pedal portion 1560,a pivot portion 1562, and a sensor portion 1564. Pedal portion 1560extends beyond pedal housing 1558 to permit a caregiver to press down onpedal portion 1560 and lift up on pedal portion 1560. When in theneutral position, a top surface 1531 of pedal portion 1560 is at anangle of 15° from horizontal to help a caregiver's line of sight inviewing a decal or indicator 1566 positioned on each pedal portion 1560that indicates what function of bed 1210 is controlled by the particularpedal 1556.

[0413] Pins 1568 are provided that extend through pivot portions 1562and define a pivot axis 1569 about which pedals 1556 pivot on housing1558. Each foot-operated control 1556 includes a biaser 1571 including afirst spring 1570 positioned between base frame 1232 and pivot portion1562 to bias pedal 1556 in a clockwise direction 1572, as shown in FIG.106, and a second spring 1574 positioned between base frame 1232 andpivot portion 1562 to bias pedal 1556 in an opposite counterclockwisedirection 1576. According to the preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, first and second springs 1570, 1574 are balanced to urgepedal 1556 to the neutral position shown in solid in FIG. 106. Accordingto alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the pedals and/orthe base frame include spring mounts or counter-bores to secure thesprings. According to another alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the springs are adhered to the pedal and/or base frame.

[0414] If pedal portion 1560 is pushed down to move pedal 1556 to thedown position, first spring 1570 compresses and second spring 1574expands. This compression and expansion creates an imbalance that biasespedal 1556 back to the neutral position when released. Similarly, ifpedal portion 1562 is raised up to move pedal to the up position, secondspring 1574 compresses and first spring 1572 expands. This compressionand expansion creates an imbalance that biases pedal 1556 back to theneutral position when released.

[0415] The position of each pedal 1556 is detected by a sensor 1578. Ifsensor 1578 detects that the respective pedal 1556 has moved to apredetermined up position, one function of bed 1210 is activated. Whensensor 1578 detects that the respective pedal 1556 has moved to apredetermined down position, another, typically opposite, function isactivated. When sensor 1578 detects that the respective pedal 1556 is ina predetermined neutral position, the respective functions areterminated. Thus, each foot-operated control 1555 is configured toactivate a function of bed 1210 when moved into either the up or downposition.

[0416] Sensor 1578 is preferably mounted on a circuit board 1577. Pedalhousing 1558 includes a pair of transversely extending lips 1551, 1553defining slots 1549, 1547 sized to receive opposite edges of circuitboard 1577. To position sensor 1578 on housing 1558, the edges ofcircuit board 1577 are slid into slots 1549, 1547 and secured with afastener, such as a screw, adhesive, locking tab, or any other fastenerknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. A cable 1545 is coupled toeach sensor 1578 to send signals indicative of the position of pedal1556 detected by sensor 1578. Cables 1545 extend into enclosed space1567 of centrally located collar 1565. Each cable 1545 is coupled to acircuit board (not shown) or other junction positioned in enclosed space1567 and a single cable 1581 extends to a central controller orprocessor 1579 to control the various actuators and mattress components.

[0417] According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,sensor 1578 is a Hall effect field sensor that detects change in thecharacteristics of a magnetic field generated by pedal 1556. A magnet1580 is positioned on sensor portion 1564 of each pedal 1556 in aposition spaced apart from sensor 1578. Sensor 1578 detects the changein position of magnet 1580 during movement of the respective pedal 1556by detecting the change in magnetic field. Based on this change inmagnetic field, sensor 1578 sends a signal indicative of the up, down,or neutral positions of the respective pedal 1556 to controller 1579.Controller 1579 then initiates the application of power to motors 1271of actuators 1264, 1266, 1612, 1660 from power source 1281 to controland power the function of the respective components of bed 1210.

[0418] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other sensors are provided to detect the position of the pedals and tocontrol the respective functions of the bed, such as other proximityswitches, a three-position mechanical switch, other mechanical switches,other electrical switches, other field sensors that detect changes in anelectric field due to changes in capacitance or inductance, other fieldsensors known to those of ordinary skill in the art, or any other sensorknown to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0419] As shown in FIG. 105, four pedals 1556 are provided to controlvarious functions of bed 1210 when raised up or pushed down. Forexample, a first pedal 1582 is provided that when pivoted upwardly,raises weigh frame 1248 and when stepped on, lowers weigh frame 1248. Asecond pedal 1584 is provided for raising and lowering head section 1487relative to weigh frame 1248 when lifted and stepped on. Series ofpedals 1556 also includes a third pedal 1586 for moving weigh frame 1248between the Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg positions.

[0420] A fourth pedal 1588 is provided for quickly putting bed 1210 inthe CPR mode. When pedal 1558 is moved to the raised or loweredposition, mattress 1230 is inflated to the predetermined maximumpressure, head section 1487 of deck 1226, if raised, is lowered to theflat position, and seat section 1557, if raised, is lowered to the flatposition to facilitate administration of CPR. According to the preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, mattress 1230 automaticallyreturns to normal pressure thirty minutes after the CPR mode isinitiated. If desired, the caregiver uses controller 1412 to overridethe CPR mode to return mattress 1230 to normal pressure. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the CPR pedal is notprovided. According to an alternative embodiment the plurality of pedalsalso includes a pedal for extending and retracting a foot section of thehospital bed or for activating any other feature of the bed.

[0421] Pedals 1582, 1584, 1586, therefore, are operated in an intuitivemanner to control the various functions of the hospital bed. That is,pedals 1582, 1584, 1586 are stepped on to perform a “down” function andare lifted upwardly with the top of a user's foot to perform an “up”function.

[0422] As shown in FIG. 92, a second pedal housing 1573 and second setof foot-operated controls 1575 are supported on base frame 1232 on theopposite side of bed 1210. Pedal housing 1573 is identical to pedalhousing 1558 and foot-operated controls 1575 are identical tofoot-operated controls 1555.

[0423] Deck 1214 is substantially similar to deck 814 of bed 810 andincludes several portions or sections 1487, 1557, 1590 that can betilted relative to intermediate frame 1252. Head section 1487 ispositioned adjacent to headboard 1216 and is pivotably coupled to a pairof deck flanges 1592 coupled to weigh frame 1248 as shown in FIG. 92.Seat section 1557 is also pivotably coupled to upwardly extendingflanges 1592 of weigh frame 1248. Foot section 1590 is pivotably coupledto seat section 1557 by a hinge 1594 and is coupled adjacent tofootboard 1218.

[0424] Similar to deck sections 22, 24, 26, 28 of deck 14 of bed 10,each section 1487, 1557, 1590 of deck 1214 includes angled side walls1622. Each section 1487, 1557, 1590 further includes substantially flatand rigid bottom walls 1624 preferably made of steel.

[0425] Foot section 1590 of deck 1214 is extendable and retractable. Afull description of an extendable and retractable foot section isdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/120,125, filed Jul. 22,1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

[0426] Hospital bed 1210 includes a tilt assembly 1610 that enables headsection 1487 to be moved automatically relative to weigh frame 1248. Asshown in FIG. 107, tilt assembly 1610 includes a tilt actuator 1612coupled to a transversely extending strut 1613 of weigh frame 1248 and atransfer link 1614 pivotably coupled to tilt actuator 1612 and headsection 1487.

[0427] To raise or tilt head section 1487, a rod 1616 of actuator 1612is extended so that transfer link 1614 pushes head section 1487 in aclockwise direction 1619 as shown in FIG. 107. To lower head section1487, rod 1616 is retracted so that transfer link 1614 pulls headsection 1487 in a counterclockwise direction 1620 as shown in FIG. 107.

[0428] Hospital bed 1210 further includes a tilt assembly 1650facilitating automatic tilting of foot and seat sections 1590, 1557relative to weigh frame 1248 and foot section 1590 relative to seatsection 1557. Tilt assembly 1650 is substantially similar to tiltassembly 1048 of bed 810. Tilt assembly 1650 includes a tilt actuator1660 coupled to a transversely extending strut 1652 of weigh frame 1248and seat section 1557 and a link 1654 pivotably coupled to foot section1590 and removably and pivotably coupled to weigh frame 1248. Weighframe 1248 includes a pin received by a notch in link 1654 so that link1654 is movable between a locked position (see, for example, FIGS. 79and 81 showing link 1052 of tilt assembly 1048 of bed 810), and anunlocked position (see, for example, FIG. 80 showing link 1052 of bed810). These two positions provide two modes of titling between seatsection 1557 and foot section 1590 (see, for example, FIGS. 79-81 forbed 810).

[0429] When in the locked position, link 1654 provides a rigid linkbetween weigh frame 1248 and foot section 1590. As tilt actuator 1660 islengthened, seat section 1557 pivots relative to weigh frame 1248 (asshown in FIGS. 80 and 81 for bed 810). When link 1654 is in the lockedposition and tilt actuator 1660 is activated, foot section 1590 movesupwardly relative to weigh frame 1248 (as shown in FIG. 81 for bed 810)but, maintains a substantially horizontal orientation. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other orientationsare provided.

[0430] When link 1654 is uncoupled from the pin and tilt actuator 1660is activated (as shown in FIG. 80 for bed 810), foot section 1590rotates about a roller coupled to weigh frame 1248 so that a proximalend of foot section 1590 is raised and a distal end of foot section 1590lowers. Thus, foot section 1590 is movable relative to seat section 1557to maintain a substantially horizontal or other position (as shown inFIG. 81 for bed 810) when link 1654 is in the locked position and atilted or other position (as shown in FIG. 81 for bed 810) relative toweigh frame 1248 when link 1654 is in the unlocked position.

[0431] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of linkage systems are provided to facilitate twomodes of tilting the foot or other section of the deck relative toanother section of the deck during movement of another section of thedeck relative to the upper or other frame member.

[0432] Such linkage systems include additional links, binges, cables,brackets, flanges, or other members known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

[0433] Split siderails 1220, 1234 are pivotably coupled to respectivehead section 1487 of deck 1214 and weigh frame 1248. Each siderail 1220,1234 is configured to move between up positions, as shown in FIG. 109,and down positions, as shown in FIG. 110, to permit entry and egress ofpatients into and out of hospital bed 1210. Each siderail 1220, 1234includes a respective rail member 1506, 1664 and a linkage assembly1666, 1667 coupled between respective rail members 1506, 1664 andrespective head section 1487 of deck 1214 and weigh frame 1248 thatpermit rail members 1506, 1664 to be moved between upper and lowerpositions.

[0434] Linkage assembly 1666 includes a first link 1668 rigidly coupledto respective head section 1487 of deck 1214 and weigh frame 1248, apair of curved second links 1670 pivotably coupled to first link 1668, athird link 1672 pivotably coupled to second links 1670, and a curvedfourth link 1674 pivotably coupled to third and first links 1668, 1672.Linkage assemblies 1666, 1667 are substantially similar to linkageassembly 142 of bed 10.

[0435] First link 1668 includes a base 1676 coupled to intermediateweigh frame 1248 and four upwardly extending flanges 1680 rigidlycoupled to base 1676 as shown in FIG. 111. Each second link 1670includes a first end 1682 pivotably coupled to flanges 1680 by a rod1684 and a looped second end 1686 pivotably coupled to third link 1672by a rod 1688 as shown in FIG. 108.

[0436] Third link 1672 includes a base 1690, a first pair of inwardlyextending flanges 1692 coupled to base 1690, and a second pair ofinwardly extending flanges 1694 also coupled to base 1690 as shown inFIG. 108. Rod 1688 extends between flanges 1692 and through second ends1686 of second link 1670 to provide the pivotable connectiontherebetween.

[0437] As shown in FIG. 108, fourth link 1674 includes a base 1696 and alatch-receiving slot 1698 formed in base 1696. A first end 1710 of baseis slidably and pivotably coupled to second pair of flanges 1694 ofthird link 1672 by a rod 1712. A second end 1714 of base 1696 ispivotably coupled to the lower ends of flanges 1680 of first link 1668by a rod 1716. Thus, linkage assembly 1666 provides a four bar linkagepermitting siderails 1220 to swing between the up and down positions.

[0438] Each siderail 1220 further includes a retainer 1718 configured to“bind” the four bar linkage to prevent siderails 1220 from moving fromthe up position to the down position. As shown in FIG. 108, retainer1718 includes a Z-shaped latch member 1720 positioned in latch-receivingslot 1698 and pivotably coupled to fourth link 1674 by rod 1722 to movebetween a latched position, as shown in FIG. 108, and an unlatchedposition and a catch rod 1724 coupled to first link 1668 by a pair offlanges 1726. Rod 1724 extends between flanges 1726 as shown in FIG.112. Latch member 1720 includes a first end 1728 that engages catch rod1724 and a second end 1730. A handle 1732 is provided that is coupled tosecond end 1730. First end 1728 includes a notch 1734 configured toreceive catch rod 1724 therein to secure latch member 1720 in thelatched position as shown in FIG. 108.

[0439] When first end 1728 is latched onto catch rod 1724, a three barlinkage is established between first link 1668, latch member 1720, andfourth link 1674. This arrangement of linkages binds first link 1668relative to fourth link 1674 so that linkage assembly 1666 is also boundfrom moving while latch member 1720 is in the latched position toprevent siderails 1220 from swinging to the lower position.

[0440] To unbind linkage assembly 1666 and permit siderails 1220 toswing to the down position, latch member 1720 must be moved from thelatched position to the unlatched position. A caregiver can unlatchlatch member 1720 by pulling downwardly and outwardly on handle 1732 topivot latch member 1720 in the clockwise direction . This movement pullsfirst end 1728 of latch member 1720 away from catch rod 1724 so thatlatch member 1720 no longer binds first and fourth links 1668,1674.

[0441] As shown in FIG. 111, assembly 1666 further includes a gas springor dashpot 1669 coupled to first link 1668 and third link 1672. Gasspring 1669 is compressed when siderail 1220 is lowered to dampen themovement and prevent rapid lowering of rail member 1506.

[0442] Because first and fourth links 1668, 1674 are free to pivotrelative to one another, linkage assembly 1666 is also unbound and freeto permit siderails 1220 to swing between the upper and lower positions.A spring 1736 is provided between a middle portion of fourth link 1674and a spring mount 1738 coupled to a middle portion of latch member 1720to bias latch member 1720 toward the latched position. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other retainers areprovided to hold the siderails in the upper position such as clasps,catches, locks, other latches, clamps, pins, bolts, bars, hasp, hooks,or other retainers known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0443] Head end siderails 1220 are configured to move longitudinallywhen raised and lowered. When lowered, head end siderail 1220 moves in afirst direction 1740, shown in FIG. 111, by a distance 1742 toward ahead end of head section 1487 of deck 1214. When raised, head endsiderails 1220 moves in a second direction 1744, shown in FIG. 112, bydistance 1742 back toward a foot end of head section 1487.

[0444] By moving head end siderails 1220 when lowering, additionalclearance is provided between head end siderail 1220 and foot endsiderail 1234. Thus, when head section 1487 of deck 1214 is in theraised position (as shown in FIG. 110), foot end siderail 1234 is in theraised position (as shown in FIG. 110), and head end siderail 1220 islowered from the up position, rail member 1506 of head end siderail 1220is pushed in direction 1742 to that contact with foot end siderail 1234is avoided.

[0445] As shown in FIGS. 111 and 112, linkage assembly 1666 of head endsiderails 1220 includes a first set of cams 1746 and a second set ofcams 1748. Each set of cams 1746, 1748 includes a pair of stationary cammembers 1750, 1752 rigidly coupled to flanges 1680 of first links 1668and a pair of rotary cam members 1754, 1756 rigidly coupled to firstends 1682 of second links 1670. As shown in FIGS. 111 and 112, rod 1684extends through rotary cam members 1754, 1756 to pivotably couple secondlinks 1670 to first links 1668. According to an alternative embodimentof the present disclosure, only one set of cams are provided.

[0446] As shown in FIG. 111, each stationary cam member 1750, 1752 is atruncated cylinder that has a first substantially flat end surface 1758coupled to flanges 1680. Each respective stationary and rotary cammember 1750, 1752, 1754, 1756 further includes an inclined cam surface1760, 1762, 1764, 1766 that cooperates with a longitudinal axis ofrotation 1768 of rod 1684 to define respective angles therebetween ofapproximately 45°.

[0447] As shown in FIG. 111, cam surfaces 1760 of stationary cam members1750 are substantially parallel with and slightly spaced-apart from camsurfaces 1764 of rotary cam members 1754 when head end siderail 1220 isin the fully raised position. Cam surfaces 1762 of stationary cammembers 1752 are spaced-apart from cam surfaces 1766 of rotary cammembers 1756 and define an angle of approximately 90° therebetween.

[0448] When handle 1732 is pulled, head end siderail 1220 moves towardsthe lowered position. During this movement, rail member 1506, secondlinks 1670, and rotary cam members 1754 rotate in a clockwise direction1778, as shown in FIG. 1778, so that cam surfaces 1764 of rotary cammembers 1754 move into contact with cam surfaces 1760 of stationary cammembers 1750. As shown in FIG. 112, continued rotation of rotary cammembers 1754 create forces between rotary cam members 1754 andstationary cam members 1750. These forces push rotary cam members 1754,second links 1670, and rail member 1506 of head end siderail 1220 indirection 1740. When head end siderail 1220 is moved to the loweredposition, rail member 1506 is pushed toward the head end of head section1487 by distance 1742, as shown in FIG. 112.

[0449] As previously mentioned, third link 1672 is slidably coupled tofourth link 1674 by rod 1712. During movement of rail member 1506 ofhead end siderail 1220 in direction 1740, fourth link 1674 does not movelongitudinally so that third link 1672 and rail member 1506 slidesrelative to fourth link 1674.

[0450] When head end siderail 1220 is initial moved toward the raisedposition, cam surfaces 1762 of stationary cam members 1752 are slightlyspaced-apart from cam surfaces 1766 of rotary cam members 1756. Camsurfaces 1760 of stationary cam members 1750 are slightly spaced-apartfrom cam surfaces 1764 of rotary cam members 1754.

[0451] As head end siderail 1220 is moved further toward the raisedposition, rail member 1506, second links 1670, and rotary cam members1754 rotate in a counterclockwise direction 1780, as shown in FIG. 112,so that cam surfaces 1762 of stationary cam members 1752 move intocontact with cam surfaces 1766 of rotary cam members 1756. Continuedrotation of rotary cam members 1754 create forces between rotary cammembers 1756 and stationary cam members 1752. These forces push rotarycam members 1756, second links 1670, and rail member 1506 of head endsiderail 1220 in direction 1744. During this movement, third link 1672and rail member 1506 slides relative to fourth link 1674 in direction1744.

[0452] As shown in FIG. 111, cam surfaces 1760 of stationary cam members1750 are substantially parallel with and slightly spaced-apart from camsurfaces 1764 of rotary cam members 1754 when head end siderail 1220 isback to the fully raised position. Cam surfaces 1762 of stationary cammembers 1752 are spaced-apart from contact cam surfaces 1766 of rotarycam members 1756 and define an angle of approximately 90° therebetween.

[0453] According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other configurations of siderails that move in a longitudinal directionduring raising and lowering are provided. These alternative embodimentsincludes other configurations of cams, links, belts, cable, pulleys, orother mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill in the art forcreating movement of a member in one direction based on movement of thesame or another member in another direction.

[0454] The linkage assembly of foot end siderails 1234 are substantiallysimilar to linkage assembly 1666 of head end siderails 1220. However,the linkage assembly of foot end siderails 1234 are not configured tomove rail member 1664 longitudinally when moved between the raised andlowered position. Therefore, the linkage assembly of foot end siderail1234 does not includes cam members and the third link is not configuredto slide relative to the fourth link.

[0455] A base frame 1832 of another alternative embodiment hospital bed1810 is shown in FIG. 113. Bed 1810 includes a caster braking system1868 including a caster-brake link 1870 extending through hollow baseframe 1832 as shown in FIG. 113. Caster braking system 1868interconnects each caster 1862, 1863 to provide simultaneous braking ofcasters 1862, 1863. To simultaneously brake casters 1862, 1863, thecaregiver steps on one of foot brake pedals 1872, 1874 and casterbraking system 1868 locks casters 1862 against rolling. Caster brakingsystem 1868 further includes a transversely extending rod 1892 that isoffset from casters 1862, 1863 that facilitates coordination of thelocking and unlocking of casters 1862, 1863 located on opposite sides ofbed frame 1832.

[0456] As shown in FIG. 113, foot brake pedal 1872 is longitudinallyspaced apart from caster 1862 by a distance 1876. Foot brake pedal 1872is coupled to base frame 1832 by a rod (not shown) similar to rod 878 ofbed 810 and pivotably coupled to caster-brake link 1870 by an arm (notshown) similar to arm 880 of bed 810. During rotation of foot brakepedal 1872 about axis 1882 in direction 1884, the arm transmits force tocaster-brake link 1870. Caster-brake link 1870 moves in direction 1871to transmits this force to an arm (not shown) similar to arm 886 of bed810 pivotably coupled to caster-brake link 1870 and rigidly coupled to ahexagonal rod (not shown) similar to rod 888 of bed 810 of casterbraking system 868. This rotation causes the hexagonal rod to rotateabout an axis 1890 in direction 1886 causing caster 1862 to lock.

[0457] According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,caster-brake link 1870 is positioned below rod 1878 so thatcounterclockwise rotation of rod 1878 by foot brake pedal 1872 indirection 1884 causes movement of caster-brake link 1870 in direction1871. Similarly, rotation of pedal 1872 in clockwise direction 1869causes caster-brake link 1870 to move in direction 1867 and thehexagonal rod to rotate in clockwise direction 1865 to unlock caster1862. According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,the caster-brake link is positioned above the rod so that rotation ofthe pedal in direction 1884 causes the caster-brake link to move indirection 1867 and movement of the pedal in direction 1869 causes thecaster-brake link to move in direction 1871.

[0458] Additional description of a caster braking system similar to thecaster braking system of the present disclosure is provided in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/263,039, filed Mar. 5, 1999, to Mobley etal., entitled Caster and Braking System, the disclosure of which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure other configurations of casterbraking and/or steering systems with or without simultaneous lockingfunctions are provided for use with the foot brake pedal andcaster-brake link of the present disclosure.

[0459] Caster-brake link 1870 also transmits the rotation of foot brakepedal 1872 to the other hexagonal rods (not shown) similar to 888, 892of bed 810 associated with the other casters 1862, 1863 tosimultaneously brake all four casters 1862, 1863. As shown in FIG. 113,link 1870 includes a portion 1894 that continues to extend through framemember 1832 and couples to the hexagonal rod of caster 1863 in a mannersimilar to the coupling to hexagonal rod 888 shown in FIG. 67.Therefore, when the hexagonal rods of caster 1862 rotate about axis ofrotation 1890, the hexagonal rod of caster 1863 rotates about axis 1894.To unlock casters 1862, 1863, foot brake pedal 1872 is rotated in adirection opposite direction 1884 to rotate the hexagonal rod of caster1863 in a direction opposite direction 1890 to unlock caster 1862.Caster-brake link 1870 also transmits the rotation to the otherhexagonal rods of the other casters 1862, 1863 to simultaneously releaseall casters 1862, 1863.

[0460] Transversely extending rod 1892 transmits the rotation of pedal1872 to the other hexagonal rods. Another caster-brake link 1894 that isidentical to caster-brake link 1870 extends through the opposite side ofbase frame 1832 and couples the hexagonal rods of the other casters1862, 1863 together so that rotation of the other head end pedal 1872 istransferred to all four casters 1862, 1863 to provide simultaneouslocking and unlocking of casters 1862, 1863.

[0461] Similarly, the caster-brake links 1870, 1894 also transmit therotation of foot brake pedals 1874 to all four caster 1862, 1863. Footbrake pedals 1874 are directly coupled to the hexagonal rods and coupledto the caster-brake links 1870 by an arm (not shown) similar to arm 886of bed 810. Thus, if brake pedals 1874 are rotated to lock or unlockeither caster 1863, the other casters 1862, 1863 are also locked orunlocked.

[0462] Brake pedal 1872 is positioned so that a caregiver standingadjacent to headboard 1816 can operate the caster braking system. Asshown in FIG. 113, brake pedal 1872 includes a foot pad 1875 positionedadjacent to a head end of base frame 1832. A caregiver positioned nearheadboard 1816 can step on pad 1875 to lock casters 1862, 1863 withouthaving to move to the side of bed 1810 to access brake pedal 1872.

[0463] As shown in FIG. 113, because brake pedal 1872 is longitudinallyspaced apart from caster 1862, axis of rotation 1890 of the hexagonalrod is longitudinally positioned between axis of rotation 1882 of rod1878 and axis of rotation 1894 of the opposite hexagonal rod. Thus, theportion of caster-brake link 1870 positioned between arms 1880, 1886 isan extension 1896 that permits pedal 1872 to be longitudinally spacedapart from caster 1862. According to an alternative embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the foot end brake pedals are also spaced apart fromthe foot end casters in a manner similar to head end brake pedals.

[0464] According to the present disclosure, a patient support isprovided. The patient support includes a frame, a mattress supported bythe frame, a barrier positioned to block egress of a patient from themattress, and a controller. The barrier includes first and secondspaced-apart rails and the controller is positioned to slide along thefirst and second rails. For example, see illustrative preferredembodiments in FIGS. 76-78, 92, and 102-104.

[0465] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a mattress supportedby the frame, a barrier positioned to block egress of a patient from themattress, and a controller. The barrier includes upper and lowersurfaces that cooperate to define an opening. The controller ispositioned to slide along the lower surface defining the opening in thebarrier. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS.76-78, 92, and 102-104.

[0466] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a mattress supportedby the frame, a barrier positioned to block egress of a patient from themattress, and a controller. The barrier includes a curved opening andthe controller is positioned in the curved opening to move along thebarrier. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS.76-78, 92, and 102-104.

[0467] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a mattress supportedby the frame, a barrier positioned to block egress of a patient from themattress, and a controller. The barrier includes a surface defining anopening in the barrier. The controller includes a housing and a retainercoupled to the housing. The retainer is configured to contact thesurface of the barrier to removable couple the housing to the barrier.For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 76-78, 92,and 102-104.

[0468] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a mattress supportedby the frame, a barrier positioned to block egress of a patient from themattress, and a controller. The controller is removably coupled to thebarrier and is movable from a first position spaced apart from thebarrier to a second position coupled to the barrier. The controller ismovable along a path having a horizontal component from the firstposition to the second position to couple the controller to the barrier.The controller is movable along the barrier when in the second position.For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 76-78, 92,and 102-104.

[0469] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame and a mattresssupported by the frame. The mattress has a first side and a second sidetransversely spaced-apart from the first side. The patient supportfurther includes a first barrier positioned to block egress of a patientfrom the first side of the mattress, a second barrier positioned toblock egress of a patient from the second side of the mattress, and acontroller. The first barrier includes a first opening formed thereinand the second barrier includes a second opening formed therein. Thecontroller is configured to be removably received in the first openingof the first barrier and removably received in the second opening of thesecond barrier. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments inFIGS. 76-78, 92, and 102-104.

[0470] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a mattress supportedby the frame, a barrier positioned to block egress of a patient from themattress, and a controller. The barrier has a longitudinal axis. Thebarrier includes a guide configured to direct movement of the controlleralong the barrier in a path having longitudinal and transversecomponents. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS.76-78, 92, and 102-104.

[0471] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a mattress supportedby the frame, a pair of spaced-apart barriers positioned to block egressof a patient from the mattress, and a controller removably coupled tothe barrier. The controller includes a housing, a cord coupled to thehousing, and a first connector coupled to the cord. The patient supportfurther includes a second connector supported by the frame. The firstconnector is configured to couple to the second connector to providecommunication for the controller through the first and second connectorswhen the first connector is coupled to the second connector. The patientsupport further includes a third connector supported by the frame. Thefirst connector is configured to couple to the third connector toprovide communication for the controller through the first and thirdconnectors when the first connector is coupled to the third connector.For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 76-78, 82,84, 92, and 102-104.

[0472] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame having a base frameand an intermediate frame configured to move relative to the base framebetween first and second positions, a deck coupled to the intermediateframe, and a mattress supported by the deck. The deck includes at leastone deck section configured to move relative to the intermediate framebetween first and second positions. The patient support further includesa plurality of actuators configured to move between first and secondpositions to move the intermediate frame relative to the base frame anddeck section relative to the intermediate frame and a plurality ofelectrical foot-operated controls supported by the frame. Each of theplurality of foot-operated controls is movable to a first position tocontrol movement of at least one of the plurality of actuators to thefirst position and a second position to control movement of at least oneof the plurality of actuators to the second position. For example, seeillustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 15, 16, 92, 105, and 106.

[0473] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, and an actuator configuredto move between first and second positions to move at least one of aportion of the frame and a portion of the deck. The patient supportfurther includes an electrical foot-operated control movable to a firstposition activating movement of the actuator to the first position and asecond position activating movement of the actuator to the secondposition. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS.15, 16, 92, 105, and 106.

[0474] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, and an actuator configuredto move at least one of a portion of the frame and a portion of thedeck. The patient support further includes a control configured tocontrol movement of the actuator. The control including a control memberand a field sensor configured to detect a change in a field caused by achange in position of the control member to control operation of theactuator based upon the change in position of the control member. Forexample, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 92, 105, and106.

[0475] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, a first actuator configuredto move between first and second positions to move at least one of aportion of the frame and a portion of the deck, and a second actuatorconfigured to move between first and second positions to move at leastone of a portion of the frame and a portion of the deck. The patientsupport further includes a foot-operated control movable to a firstposition to control movement of the first and second actuators to thefirst positions and a second position to control movement of the firstand second actuators to the second positions. For example, seeillustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 15, 16, 92, 105, and 106.

[0476] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a plurality of wheelsconfigured to support the frame and facilitate movement of the frame onthe floor, a deck supported by the frame, a mattress supported by thedeck, and an actuator configured to move at least one of a portion ofthe frame and a portion of the deck. The patient support furtherincludes an electrical foot-operated control configured to controlmovement of the actuator. For example, see illustrative preferredembodiments in FIGS. 15, 16, 92, 105, and 106.

[0477] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, and an actuator configuredto move at least one of a portion of the frame and a portion of thedeck. The patient support further includes an electrical foot-operatedcontrol supported by the frame and configured to control movement of theactuator. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS.15, 16, 92, 105, and 106.

[0478] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, an actuator configured tomove between first and second positions to move at least one of aportion of the frame and a portion of the deck, and a power sourceconfigured to apply power to the actuator to move between the first andsecond positions. The patient support further includes a foot-operatedcontrol movable to a first position initiating application of power fromthe power source to the actuator to move the actuator to the firstposition and a second position initiating application of power from thepower source to the actuator to move the actuator to the secondposition. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS.15, 16, 92, 105, and 106.

[0479] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, and a mattress supported by the deck. The mattress includes aretractable foot portion configured to have an adjustable length. Theretractable foot portion includes a foam portion and a heel-pressurerelief portion. For example, see an illustrative preferred embodiment inFIGS. 88-91, 114, and 115.

[0480] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, amattress is provided. The mattress includes a head portion, a seatportion, and a retractable foot portion. The head, seat, and footportions cooperate to define a patient rest surface. The retractablefoot portion has an adjustable length, a main body, and a heel-pressurerelief portion. The main body has a cavity sized to received theheel-pressure relief portion. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIGS. 88-91, 114, and 115.

[0481] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, amattress is provided. The mattress includes a head portion, a seatportion, and a foot portion. The foot portion has an adjustable length.The head, seat, and foot portions cooperate to define a patient restsurface having an adjustable length. The foot portion includes anadjustable length foam portion and a heel-pressure relief portion havinga stiffness less than the stiffness of the foam portion. For example,see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 88-91, 114, and 115.

[0482] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, amethod of supporting a patient is provided. The method includes the stepof providing a patient support. The patient support has an adjustablelength, a foam calf support, and a heel-pressure relief portion that hasa stiffness less than the stiffness of the foam calf support. The methodfurther includes the step of adjusting the length of the patient supportto position the foam calf support under a patient's calves and theheel-pressure relief portion under a patient's heels. For example, seean illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 88-91, 114, and 115.

[0483] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, and a controller. The deckincludes a head section configured to move relative to the frame and afoot section having an adjustable length. The controller is configuredto change the length of the foot section to correspond to the positionof the head section of the deck. The foot section of the deck remainssubstantially horizontal during the change of the length of the footsection. For example, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS.88-91, 114, and 115.

[0484] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, and a mattress supported by the deck. The deck includes ahead section and a foot section. The head section is configured to raiseand lower relative to the frame. The mattress has a head portionpositioned over the head section of the deck and an adjustable lengthfoot portion positioned over the foot section of the deck. The length ofthe foot portion of the mattress is configured to increase in length tocorrespond to raising of the head section of the deck. For example, seean illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 88-91, 114, and 115.

[0485] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, apatient support is provided that includes a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, and a mattress supported by the deck. The deck includes ahead section, a seat section, and a foot section. The head section isconfigured to raise and lower relative to the frame. The mattress has ahead portion positioned over the head section of the deck and a footportion having a heel-pressure relief portion. The position of theheel-pressure relief portion corresponds to the position of the headsection relative to the frame. For example, see an illustrativepreferred embodiment in FIGS. 88-91, 114, and 115.

[0486] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, amethod of maintaining heel-pressure relief of a patient is provided. Themethod includes the step of providing a patient support. The patientsupport includes a frame, a deck supported by the frame and having afoot section and a head section movable between first and secondpositions relative to the frame, and a mattress having a foot portionpositioned over the foot section of the deck and a head sectionpositioned over the head section of the deck. The foot portion has aheel-pressure relief portion configured to reduce the surface pressureon a patient's heel. The method further comprises the step ofcorresponding the position of the heel-pressure relief portion of themattress with the position of the head section of deck to maintain theposition of the heel-pressure relief portion under the patient's heel.For example, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 88-91,114, and 115.

[0487] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a barrier positioned toblock egress of a person from the mattress. The barrier is made of anon-opaque material. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIG. 32.

[0488] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a barrier positioned toblock egress of a person from the mattress. The barrier is made of anon-opaque material. The patient support further includes a light sourcepositioned to introduce light into the barrier made of non-opaquematerial to illuminate the barrier. For example, see an illustrativepreferred embodiment in FIG. 32.

[0489] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a siderail positionedto block egress of a person from the mattress. The siderail is made of anon-opaque material. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIG. 32.

[0490] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and at least one headboardand footboard positioned to block egress of a person from the mattress.The at least one headboard and foot board is made of a non-opaquematerial. For example, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIG.1.

[0491] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a siderail. Thesiderail includes a rail member configured to move from a first positionto a second position. The rail member has an inner side facing themattress and an outer side facing away from the mattress. The siderailfurther includes a retainer configured to hold the rail member in thefirst position and a patient-accessible release configured to permitmovement of the siderail from the first position. The patient-accessiblerelease is accessible to a person normally positioned on the mattress.For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 27-33 and36-39.

[0492] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a siderail. Thesiderail includes a rail member configured to move from a first positionto a second position, a retainer configured to hold the rail member inthe first position, a release configured to permit movement of the railmember from the first position, and a lock configured to prevent therelease from permitting movement of the rail member from the firstposition. For example, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS.27-33.

[0493] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a siderail including arail member configured to move from a first position to a secondposition. The patient support further includes a retainer configured tohold the rail member in the first position, a first release configuredto permit movement of the siderail from the first position, and secondrelease configured to permit movement of the siderail from the firstposition. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS.27-33 and 36-39.

[0494] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a siderail. Thesiderail includes a rail member configured to move from a first positionblocking egress of a person positioned on the mattress to a secondposition and an armrest arranged to support an arm of the personpositioned on the mattress. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIGS. 32-35.

[0495] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a siderail. Thesiderail includes a rail member configured to move from a first positionblocking egress of a person positioned on the mattress to a secondposition and a container holder configured to support a container. Forexample, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 32-35.

[0496] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a barrier positioned toblock egress of a patient from the mattress, a wireless controllerconfigured to couple to the barrier. The wireless controller isconfigured to control a function of the patient support. For example,see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 74 and 75.

[0497] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, a first siderail positionedto block egress of a patient from the mattress. The first siderailincludes a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end.The patient support further includes a second siderail positioned toblock egress of a patient from the mattress. The first siderail isconfigured to move between first and second positions relative to thesecond siderail. The second siderail includes an upper edge having aconcave portion arranged to receive the first end of the first siderailwhen in the second position. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIGS. 71-73.

[0498] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, a first siderail, and asecond siderail. The mattress defines a substantially horizontal plane.The first siderail is positioned to block egress of a patient from afirst side of the mattress. The first siderail is configured to tiltinward toward the mattress to define an acute angle with the horizontalplane defined by the mattress. The second siderail is positioned toblock egress of a patient from a second side of the mattress. The secondsiderail is configured to tilt inward toward the mattress to define anangle with the horizontal plane defined by the mattress. For example,see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 52-53.

[0499] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, a barrier positioned toblock egress of a patient positioned on the mattress, and a CPR panelconfigured to be positionable under a patient positioned on the mattressto facilitate administering CPR on the patient. The patient supportfurther includes a CPR panel retention member arranged to retain lowercorners of the CPR panel adjacent to the barrier. For example, see anillustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 62-64.

[0500] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress positioned over the frame, and a barrier positioned toblock egress of a patient positioned on the mattress. The barrierincludes a perimeter frame member and a screen coupled to the perimeterframe member. The perimeter frame member defines an opening. The screenincludes a tubular sleeve defining a passage sized to slidably receivethe perimeter frame member and a panel coupled to the sleeve to extendacross the opening defined by the perimeter frame member. For example,see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 54 and 55.

[0501] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress supported by the frame, a footboard supported by theframe, a headboard supported by the frame, and a controller pivotablycoupled to at least one of the headboard and footboard. For example, seean illustrative preferred embodiment in FIG. 14.

[0502] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress supported by the frame, a footboard supported by theframe, and a headboard supported by the frame. At least one of theheadboard and footboard is removable from a normally vertical blockingposition blocking egress of a patient from the mattress and a horizontaltable position positioned over the mattress. For example, seeillustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 52, 53, and 56-60.

[0503] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress supported by the frame, a footboard supported by theframe, and a headboard supported by the frame, a siderail supported bythe frame. The patient support further includes a gap filler coupled toat least one of the footboard and headboard to block egress of a patientthrough a gap defined between said at least one of the footboard andheadboard and the siderail. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIGS. 61 and 68-70.

[0504] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a deck supported by the frame, and a mattress supported by thedeck. The deck including an upper deck portion, a lower deck portioncoupled to the upper deck portion by a slanted deck side wall so thatthe lower deck portion is spaced apart from the upper deck to define acentral, longitudinal recess in the deck. The lower deck portion extendsacross the deck to provide a lower deck support surface. For example,see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 40, 42-45, and 82.

[0505] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe and a deck supported by the frame. The deck includes a footsection, a back section pivotably coupled to the frame to move betweenfirst and second positions relative to the frame, and a head sectionpivotably coupled the back section to move between first and secondpositions. The patient support further includes a mechanism configuredto control movement of the back and head sections. The mechanism isconfigured to move between a first position wherein the head sectionremains substantially horizontal with the back section when the backsection is moved from the first position to the second position and asecond position wherein the head section tilts relative to the backsection when the back section is moved from the first position to thesecond position. For example, see an illustrative preferred embodimentin FIGS. 17-21.

[0506] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe and a deck supported by the frame. The deck includes a seatsection pivotably coupled to the frame to move between first and secondpositions and a foot section pivotably coupled to the seat section tomove between first and second positions. The patient support furtherincludes a mechanism configured to control movement of the foot sectionrelative to the seat section. The mechanism is configured to movebetween a first position wherein the foot section remains substantiallyhorizontal when the seat section moves from the first position to thesecond position and a second position wherein the foot section deviatesfrom being substantially horizontal when the seat section moves from thefirst position to the second position. For example, see illustrativepreferred embodiments in FIGS. 22-26, 79-81, and 92.

[0507] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a deck supported by the frame, and a mattress supported by thesupport member of the deck. The deck includes a pair of spaced-apartsidewalls and a support member extending between the side walls. Thesupport member is configured to move relative to at least one of theside walls to permit deflection thereof when a patient is positioned onthe mattress. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments inFIGS. 43-45 and 82-83.

[0508] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a deck supported by the frame, and a mattress supported by thedeck. The deck includes a head end and a foot end spaced apart from thehead end. The patient support further includes at least one hand gripcoupled to the head end of the deck. For example, see illustrativepreferred embodiments in FIGS. 40 and 53.

[0509] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe and a deck supported by the frame. The deck includes a pluralityof deck sections configured to move relative to the frame. The patientsupport further includes a spill guard positioned in a gap definedbetween at least two of the plurality of deck sections. For example, seean illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 82 and 83.

[0510] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe including a base frame, an intermediate frame, and a plurality oflift arms configured to support the intermediate frame on the baseframe. The plurality of lift arms are slidably coupled to the base frameby a plurality of roller positioned in the base frame. The patientsupport further includes a plurality of wheels coupled to the base frameto facilitate movement of the base frame and a wheel control linkpositioned in the base frame to facilitate simultaneous control of theplurality of wheels. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0511] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe including a base frame, an intermediate frame, and a plurality oflift arms configured to move the intermediate frame relative to the baseframe. The patient support further includes a deck supported by theintermediate frame, a headboard coupled to the base frame, and afootboard supported by the intermediate frame. For example, seeillustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 1, 9, 61, and 92.

[0512] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe including a base frame, an intermediate frame, and a plurality oflift arms configured to move the intermediate frame relative to the baseframe. The patient support further includes a deck supported by theintermediate frame, a headboard coupled to the base frame, and afootboard coupled to the deck. For example, see illustrative preferredembodiments in FIGS. 1, 9, 61, and 92.

[0513] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe having a longitudinal axis, a deck supported by the frame, amattress supported by the deck, a first wheel positioned to support ahead end of the frame at a first longitudinal location, a second wheelpositioned to support a foot end of the patient support at a secondlongitudinal location, and a pedal supported by the frame at a thirdlongitudinal location. The pedal is configured to control at least oneof the first and second wheels. The first longitudinal location ispositioned between the second and third longitudinal locations. Forexample, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 61, 92, and113.

[0514] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe having a base frame, an intermediate frame, and a plurality oflift arms configured to support the intermediate frame on the base frameand to permit movement of the intermediate frame between first andsecond positions relative to the base frame, and a deck supported by theintermediate frame. The patient support further includes a shroudsupported by the base frame. The shroud includes at least one openingtherein configured to permit movement of at least one other component ofthe patient support in the opening when the intermediate frame movesbetween the first and second positions. For example, see an illustrativepreferred embodiment in FIG. 61 and 65.

[0515] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress supported by the frame, and a barrier supported by theframe. The barrier is configured to move between a raised positionblocking egress of a patient positioned on the mattress and a loweredposition. The barrier is configured to move along a longitudinal axiswhen moved between the raised and lowered positions. For example, see anillustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 109-112.

[0516] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress supported by the frame, a first barrier positioned toblock egress of a patient from the mattress, and a second barrierpositioned to block egress of a patient from the mattress. The firstbarrier includes a first pocket formed therein. The second barrierincludes a second pocket formed therein. The patient support furtherincludes a controller configured to be removably received in the firstpocket of the first barrier and removably received in the second pocketof the second barrier. For example, see illustrative preferredembodiments in FIGS. 74-75 and 97-101.

[0517] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress supported by the frame, a first barrier positioned toblock egress of a patient from the mattress, and a second barrierpositioned to block egress of a patient from the mattress. The firstbarrier includes a first pocket formed therein. The second barrierincludes a second pocket formed therein. The patient support furtherincludes a controller configured to be removably received in the firstpocket of the first barrier and removably received in the second pocketof the second barrier. The patient support further includes a controllermount configured to be removably received in the first and secondpockets and the controller is coupled to the controller mount. Forexample, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 97-101.

[0518] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe, a mattress supported by the frame and a controller. Thecontroller includes a key control button and a plurality of inputcontrol buttons. Each of the plurality of input control buttons isconfigured to receive commands from a user to control a function of thepatient support. The key control button is configured to enable anddisable the plurality of input control buttons to control the functionsof the patient support. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIG. 101.

[0519] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another patient support is provided. The patient support includes aframe having a longitudinal axis, a deck supported by the frame, amattress supported by the deck, a first pair of wheels positioned tosupport a head end of the frame at a first longitudinal location, and asecond pair of wheels positioned to support a foot end of the patientsupport at a second longitudinal location. Each of the first and secondpairs of wheels includes a blocking devices configured to block at leastone of the rotation or pivoting of the first and second wheels. Thepatient support further includes a plurality of transfer linksconfigured to coordinate operation of the blocking devices of the firstand second pairs of wheels and a rod positioned at a third longitudinallocation longitudinally spaced apart from the first and secondlongitudinal locations. The rod extends transversely between at leasttwo of the plurality of transfer links to coordinate movement thereof.For example, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIG. 113.

[0520] According to the present disclosure, a mattress for use with apatient support is provided. The mattress includes a patient supportsurface having a longitudinal axis. The mattress further includes acrowning bladder configured to move between a first position wherein thepatient support surface is substantially flat and a second positioncreating a crown in patient support surface positioned on thelongitudinal axis thereof. For example, see illustrative preferredembodiments in FIGS. 45, 49, and 50.

[0521] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another mattress for use with a patient support is provided. Themattress includes a patient support surface. The mattress furtherincludes a firming bladder including a plurality of cells configured tomove between a first position having a first firmness and a secondposition having a second firmness greater than the first firmness toprovide substantially firm support for the patient support surface. Forexample, see an illustrative preferred embodiment in FIGS. 40 and 42-45.

[0522] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another mattress for use with a patient support is provided. Themattress includes a cover defining a patient support surface and aninterior region. The mattress further includes a vibration motorpositioned in the cover to provide vibrations to the patient supportsurface. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS.42, 49, and 50.

[0523] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another mattress for use with a patient support is provided. Themattress includes a head section, a seat section, and a foot section.The head, seat, and foot sections cooperate to define a patient supportsurface. At least on of the head, seat, and foot sections includes afence configured to block movement of the patient off of the patientsupport surface. For example, see illustrative preferred embodiments inFIGS. 48-50.

[0524] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another mattress for use with a patient support is provided. Themattress includes a head section, a seat section, and a foot section.The head, seat, and foot sections cooperate to define a patient supportsurface. At least on of the head, seat, and foot sections include afence configured to block movement of the patient off of the patientsupport surface. The patient support further includes a cover definingan interior region and the head, seat, and foot sections are positionedin the interior region. For example, see illustrative preferredembodiments in FIGS. 48-50.

[0525] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another mattress for use with a patient support is provided. Themattress includes a head section, a seat section, and a foot section.The head, seat, and foot sections cooperate to define a patient supportsurface. The foot section includes a fence configured to block movementof the patient off of the patient support surface. For example, seeillustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 48-50.

[0526] According to the present disclosure, a pressure system for usewith a mattress of a patient support is provided. The mattress includesa bladder. The pressure system includes a pressure source and a pressureregulator configured to maintain a pressure of fluid in the bladder ofthe mattress within a predetermined range. The pressure system furtherincludes a conduit configured to deliver fluid to the bladder from thepressure source when the pressure of the fluid in the bladder is belowthe predetermined range and remove fluid from the bladder when thepressure of the fluid is above the predetermined range. For example, seean illustrative preferred embodiment in FIG. 51.

[0527] According to the present disclosure, a frame for a patientsupport is provided. The frame includes a base frame, an intermediateframe, and at least three lift arms configured to support theintermediate frame on the base frame and to permit movement of theintermediate frame between first and second positions relative to thebase frame. Each of the lift arms includes a first link coupled to thebase frame, a second link coupled to the intermediate frame, a thirdlink pivotably coupled to the first and second links, and a fourth linkpivotably coupled to the first and second links. For example, seeillustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 8-13 and 65.

[0528] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another frame for a patient support is provided. The frame includes abase frame, an intermediate frame, and a plurality of lift armsconfigured to support the intermediate frame on the base frame and topermit movement of the intermediate frame between first and secondpositions relative to the base frame. Each of the lift arms includesfirst and second links, the first link being pivotably coupled to thebase frame and pivotably coupled to the intermediate frame. The secondlink is pivotably coupled to the first link and pivotably coupled to atleast one of the base frame and intermediate frame. For example, seeillustrative preferred embodiments in FIGS. 1, 2-7, and 92-96.

[0529] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,another frame for a patient support is provided. The frame includes abase frame, an intermediate frame, and at least one lift arm configuredto support the intermediate frame on the base frame and to permitmovement of the intermediate frame between first and second positionsrelative to the base frame. At least one of the base and intermediateframes is configured to nest within the other of the at least one of thebase and intermediate frames. For example, see an illustrative preferredembodiment in FIGS. 92-96.

[0530] According to the present disclosure, the various features of thebedframes, decks, mattresses, headboards, footboards, siderails,controllers, and other components of the various embodiment beds of thepresent disclosure may be exchanged or used in combination with thefeatures of the other beds disclosed herein or beds known to those ofordinary skill in the art.

[0531] The features of the present disclosure have been described withrespect to beds, but they can also be used on examination tables,stretchers, gurneys, wheel chairs, chair beds, or any other patientsupport devices for supporting a person during rest, treatment, orrecuperation.

[0532] Although the invention has been described in detail withreference to certain illustrated embodiments, variations andmodifications exist within the scope and spirit of the present inventionas described and defined in the following claims.

1. A patient support comprising a frame having a base frame and anintermediate frame configured to move relative to the base frame betweenfirst and second positions, a deck coupled to the intermediate frame,the deck including at least one deck section configured to move relativeto the intermediate frame between first and second positions, a mattresssupported by the deck, a plurality of actuators configured to movebetween first and second positions to move the intermediate framerelative to the base frame and deck section relative to the intermediateframe, and a plurality of electrical foot-operated controls supported bythe frame, each of the plurality of foot-operated controls being movableto a first position to control movement of at least one of the pluralityof actuators to the first position and a second position to controlmovement of at least one of the plurality of actuators to the secondposition.
 2. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofactuators includes first and second actuators, the plurality offoot-operated controls includes a first foot-operated control, movementof the first foot-operated control to the first position controlsmovement of the first and second actuators to the first position,movement of the first foot-operated control to the second positioncontrols movement of the first and second actuators to the secondposition.
 3. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofactuators are electrically powered.
 4. The patient support of claim 1,further comprising a housing supported by the frame and the plurality offoot-operated controls are coupled to the housing.
 5. The patientsupport of claim 4, wherein the housing includes a plurality of cavitiesand each of the foot-operated controls is positioned in one of theplurality of cavities.
 6. The patient support of claim 5, wherein eachof the plurality of foot-operated controls includes a pedal pivotablycoupled to the housing to move between the first and second positions.7. The patient support of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality offoot-operated controls further includes a field sensor coupled to thehousing to detect a change in the field caused by movement of thepedals.
 8. The patient support of claim 7, wherein each of the pluralityof foot-operated controls further includes a magnet coupled to each ofthe pedals, each of the field sensors is configured to detect a changein position of the magnet caused by movement of the pedals.
 9. Thepatient support of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality offoot-operated controls includes a biaser positioned to urge the pedal tothird position between the first and second positions.
 10. The patientsupport of claim 9, wherein the biaser includes first and secondspaced-apart springs positioned between the pedal and the housing, thefirst spring urges the pedal in a first direction, and the second springurges the pedal in a second opposite direction.
 11. The patient supportof claim 1, further comprising first and second spaced-apart housingssupported on opposite sides of the frame, at least one of the pluralityof foot-operated controls is coupled to the first housing, and at leastone of the plurality of foot-operated controls is coupled to the secondhousing.
 12. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the actuators areconfigured to move in a first direction when moving to the firstposition and a second opposite direction when moving to the secondposition.
 13. A patient support comprising a frame, a deck supported bythe frame, a mattress supported by the deck, an actuator configured tomove between first and second positions to move at least one of aportion of the frame and a portion of the deck, and an electricalfoot-operated control movable to a first position activating movement ofthe actuator to the first position and a second position activatingmovement of the actuator to the second position.
 14. The patient supportof claim 13, wherein the actuator includes an electric motor configuredto move at least one of the portion of the frame and the portion of thedeck.
 15. The patient support of claim 14, wherein the electric motorturns in a first direction when the foot-operated control is moved tothe first position and in a second opposite direction when thefoot-operated control is moved to the second position.
 16. The patientsupport of claim 13, wherein the electrical foot-operated controlincludes a control member movable between first and second positions anda sensor configured to detect movement of the control member.
 17. Thepatient support of claim 16, wherein the sensor is configured to detecta change in a field caused by movement of the control member anddetection of a change in the field causes movement of the actuator. 18.The patient support of claim 17, wherein the electrical foot-operatedcontrol includes a magnet coupled to the control member to movetherewith and the sensor is positioned to detect changes in a magneticfield caused by movement of the magnet.
 19. The patient support of claim16, wherein the foot-operated control includes a circuit board and thesensor is coupled to the circuit board.
 20. The patient support of claim13, further comprising another actuator configured to move between firstand second positions to move at least one of a portion of the frame anda portion of the deck, the electrical foot-operated control activatesmovement of the actuators to the first positions when moved to the firstposition, and the electrical foot-operated control activates movement ofthe actuator to the second positions when moved to the second position.21. The patient support of claim 13, wherein the actuator is configuredto move in a first direction when moving to the first position and asecond opposite direction when moving to the second position.
 22. Apatient support comprising a frame, a deck supported by the frame, amattress supported by the deck, an actuator configured to move at leastone of a portion of the frame and a portion of the deck, and a controlconfigured to control movement of the actuator, the control including acontrol member and a field sensor configured to detect a change in afield caused by a change in position of the control member to controloperation of the actuator based upon the change in position of thecontrol member.
 23. The patient support of claim 22, wherein the fieldsensor is configured to detect a change in a magnetic characteristic ofthe field.
 24. The patient support of claim 22, wherein the field sensoris spaced apart from the control member.
 25. The patient support ofclaim 24, wherein the control further includes a magnet coupled to thecontrol member and the field sensor is configured to detect a change inposition of the magnet caused by a change in position of the controlmember.
 26. The patient support of claim 25, wherein the control memberis a pedal positioned to be acted upon by a person's foot and the pedalis positioned to pivot between the first and second positions about apivot axis.
 27. The patient support of claim 26, wherein the pedalincludes a pedal portion positioned to be acted upon by the person'sfoot and the pivot axis is positioned between the pedal portion and themagnet.
 28. The patient support of claim 26, wherein the controlincludes a circuit board supported by the frame and the field sensor iscoupled to the circuit board.
 29. The patient support of claim 22,wherein the actuator is configured to move in a first direction whenmoving to the first position and a second opposite direction when movingto the second position.
 30. A patient support comprising a frame, a decksupported by the frame, a mattress supported by the deck, a firstactuator configured to move between first and second positions to moveat least one of a portion of the frame and a portion of the deck, asecond actuator configured to move between first and second positions tomove at least one of a portion of the frame and a portion of the deck,and a foot-operated control movable to a first position to controlmovement of the first and second actuators to the first positions and asecond position to control movement of the first and second actuators tothe second positions.
 31. The patient support of claim 30, wherein thefirst actuator is positioned to move a portion of the frame and thesecond actuator is positioned to move a portion of the framesimultaneously with movement of the other portion of the frame.
 32. Thepatient support of claim 31, wherein the frame includes a base frame andan intermediate frame supported by the base frame and the first andsecond actuators are positioned move the intermediate frame relative tothe base frame.
 33. The patient support of claim 30, wherein the frameincludes a base frame having first and second ends and an intermediateframe having first and second ends, the first actuator is positioned tomove the first end of the intermediate frame relative to the first endof the base frame when the foot-operated control is in the firstposition and the second actuator is positioned to move the second end ofthe intermediate frame relative to the second end of the base frame whenthe foot-operated control is in the first position.
 34. The patientsupport of claim 33, wherein the first actuator is positioned to movethe first end of the intermediate frame relative to the first end of thebase frame when the foot-operated control is in the second position andthe second actuator is positioned to move the second end of theintermediate frame relative to the second end of the base frame when thefoot-operated control is in the second position.
 35. The patient supportof claim 33, wherein the first actuator moves the first end of theintermediate frame toward the first end of the base frame when thefoot-operated control is in the first position and the second actuatormoves the second end of the intermediate frame toward the first end ofthe base frame when the foot-operated control is in the first position.36. The patient support of claim 30, wherein the first and secondactuators are configured to move in a first direction when moving to thefirst position and a second opposite direction when moving to the secondposition.
 37. A patient support comprising a frame, a plurality ofwheels configured to support the frame and facilitate movement of theframe on the floor, a deck supported by the frame, a mattress supportedby the deck, an actuator configured to move at least one of a portion ofthe frame and a portion of the deck, and an electrical foot-operatedcontrol configured to control movement of the actuator.
 38. The patientsupport of claim 37, wherein the electrical foot-operated control issupported by the frame.
 39. The patient support of claim 38, furthercomprising a housing coupled to the frame, wherein the electricalfoot-operated control is coupled to the housing.
 40. The patient supportof claim 39, wherein the housing is supported by the frame in a positionspaced-apart from the floor.
 41. The patient support of claim 37,further comprising a first housing coupled to the frame to support theelectrical foot-operated control on the frame, a second electricalfoot-operated control configured to control movement of the actuator,and a second housing coupled to the frame in a position spaced apartfrom the first housing, wherein the second housing supports the secondelectrical foot-operated control.
 42. The patient support of claim 41,wherein the first and second housings are coupled to the frame in fixedpositions.
 43. The patient support of claim 37, wherein the actuator isconfigured to move between first and second positions and the electricalfoot-operated control is configured to move to a first positionactivating movement of the actuator to the first position and a secondposition activating movement of the actuator to the second position. 44.The patient support of claim 43, wherein the actuator is configured tomove in a first direction when moving to the first position and a secondopposite direction when moving to the second position.
 45. The patientsupport of claim 43, wherein the electrical foot-operated control isconfigured to move to a third position between the first and secondpositions and the electrical foot-operated control is configured tomaintain the position of the actuator when in the third position.
 46. Apatient support comprising a frame, a deck supported by the frame, amattress supported by the deck, an actuator configured to move at leastone of a portion of the frame and a portion of the deck, and anelectrical foot-operated control supported by the frame and configuredto control movement of the actuator.
 47. The patient support of claim46, further comprising a housing coupled to the frame and the electricalfoot-operated control is coupled to the housing.
 48. The patient supportof claim 47, wherein the housing is supported by the frame in a positionspaced-apart from the floor.
 49. The patient support of claim 47,further comprising another electrical foot-operated control, wherein thehousing includes at least two cavities and each of the foot-operatedcontrols is positioned in one of the cavities.
 50. The patient supportof claim 46, further comprising a first housing coupled to the frame tosupport the electrical foot-operated control on the frame, a secondelectrical foot-operated control configured to control movement of theactuator, and a second housing coupled to the frame in a position spacedapart from the first housing, wherein the second housing supports thesecond electrical foot-operated control.
 51. The patient support ofclaim 50, wherein the first and second housings are coupled to the framein fixed positions.
 52. The patient support of claim 46, wherein theactuator is configured to move between first and second positions andthe electrical foot-operated control is configured to move to a firstposition activating movement of the actuator to the first position and asecond position activating movement of the actuator to the secondposition.
 53. The patient support of claim 52, wherein the actuator isconfigured to move in a first direction when moving to the firstposition and a second opposite direction when moving to the secondposition.
 54. The patient support of claim 52, wherein the electricalfoot-operated control is configured to move to a third position betweenthe first and second positions and the electrical foot-operated controlis configured to maintain the position of the actuator.
 55. A patientsupport comprising a frame, a deck supported by the frame, a mattresssupported by the deck, an actuator configured to move between first andsecond positions to move at least one of a portion of the frame and aportion of the deck, a power source configured to apply power to theactuator to move between the first and second positions, and afoot-operated control movable to a first position initiating applicationof power from the power source to the actuator to move the actuator tothe first position and a second position initiating application of powerfrom the power source to the actuator to move the actuator to the secondposition.
 56. The patient support of claim 55, wherein the foot-operatedcontrol includes a control member positioned to be moved between firstand second positions by a person's foot and a sensor configured todetect a change in position of the control member to initiateapplication of power from the power source to the actuator.
 57. Thepatient support of claim 56, wherein the sensor is spaced apart from thecontrol member.
 58. The patient support of claim 55, wherein theactuator includes a motor and the power source provides electrical powerto the motor to move the actuator between the first and secondpositions.
 59. The patient support of claim 58, wherein the motor movesin a first direction to move the actuator to the first position and asecond opposite direction to move the actuator to the second position.60. The patient support of claim 55, wherein the actuator is coupled tothe deck to move a portion of the deck between first and secondpositions.
 61. The patient support of claim 55, wherein the frameincludes an intermediate frame supporting the deck and a base framesupporting the intermediate frame and the actuator is positioned to movethe intermediate frame relative to the base frame.
 62. The patientsupport of claim 55, further comprising a plurality of wheels supportingthe frame on the floor.